Wichita State Shockers: Should Gregg Marshall Make a Move

No one will argue that Gregg Marshall has become a top coach in Division I basketball while coaching the Wichita State Shockers. His track record which includes six straight NCAA Tournament appearances and one Final Four berth speaks volumes.

One must wonder, however, if Gregg Marshall is beginning to feel as if he has accomplished everything possible as head coach of the Wichita State Shockers. If so, the time may have come for Marshall to seek greener pastures elsewhere.

Gregg Marshall’s frustrations with the selection committee over the past few seasons are well documented. Outside of the 2013-2014 season when the Shockers claimed a number one seed with a 34-0 record, Wichita State has received unfavorable seedings in the NCAA Tournament.

It can be argued that those low seeds have resulted in premature exits for the Shockers. Following the Shockers’ second round loss to the second-seeded Kentucky Wildcats this season, Marshall was upfront about the disrespect WSU felt.

"“How many years do we have to do this to make people respect our program? I don’t know. That’s up to you guys.”"

Conference Concerns for the Shockers

Unfortunately for Marshall, the Shockers can only play the hand they are dealt. As members of the Missouri Valley Conference, Wichita State must continually combat the notion that they play in an inferior league.

The Shockers track record of MVC regular season championships in 2012 and 2014-2017 as well as MVC Tournament championships in 2014 and 2017 is great. The selection committee has traditionally not looked favorably upon the league though. League co-champion Illinois State was controversially left out of the NCAA Tournament this season due to a lack of quality opponents.

Wichita State made an attempt at playing tougher teams in 2016-2017, but not enough apparently.

More from KC Kingdom

Big 12 teams, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, both played the Shockers in the 2016-2017 season and will do the same in 2017-2018. Also, with the Shockers’ rumored move to the American Athletic Conference, opportunities for quality wins and legitimacy would increase.

Will Gregg Marshall Pursue Greener Pastures?

I wonder if all of these changes are too little, too late for Gregg Marshall. In recent years, Marshall has found his name continually mentioned in coaching searches for other schools, which I feel like is due to him coaching at a non-Power 5 school.

I would bet money Marshall would be among the first names discussed if the head coaching job opens tomorrow at a blue-blood program like Kansas, North Carolina, or Duke.

Despite his current salary of $3.3 million/year, vacancies like the ones at Indiana or Cal could catch his eye. Moving to a Power-5 school would surely interest Marshall. The added prestige, respect from the selection committee, increased competition, and potential salary jump would all be perks.

I believe Gregg Marshall will only leave Wichita State if he’s stepping into a situation ready-made for success. According to ESPN, Marshall has made his mindset regarding a move clear for the time being.

"“Ultimately, maybe I’ll take one,” Marshall said. “But right now, we’re very, very happy where we are. … We’re very content. But at the same time, we don’t bury our head in the sand. I’ve said that before. We listen. Maybe there will be a time for us to make a move, but I don’t know when that’s going to be.”"

Luckily for Wichita State Shockers fans, Marshall seems to be content where he is at this time. If perceived disrespect continues by the selection committee in the future, it may be another story.

Shockers fans, how do you feel? Will you be crushed if Marshall decided to move on? Do you view the possibility as totally unlikely? Feel free to comment below!

Home/Wichita State Shockers