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It's been a turbulent three seasons in Chicago for DePaul men’s basketball. The appointment of Tony Stubblefield, even at the time of his hiring, was questioned by fans and media alike — the results also haven’t been what fans were hoping for, as each season has seen massive transfer overhauls, injuries, and inconsistency on the floor.
The writing is on the wall for Stubblefield and his flopped DePaul tenure. Many, including myself, would be shocked if he was brought back for a fourth season. While we’re only in the infant stages of Big East play, the wheels in DePaul AD DeWayne Peevy’s head are turning with offseason plans for what seems like an inevitable decision.
The type of coach does matter: I’ve seen the luminary path of hiring those longtime Power Six assistants, but the rebuilding job needed for DePaul is overwhelming for someone like that (hence, Stubblefield). I’ve also seen the ones advocating for the ‘slam dunk’ — which I assume is like a Coach Prime-esque hire — to which I say: don’t play for clicks, play to win.
The four names below aren’t guarantees that they’ll be available or that they will be the whispered names come the offseason. Still, they embody idea of the type of coach DePaul should hire: someone who has been running a program for a while, with a track record of success, and in leagues that could be classified just below the power-six level.
Who could be in play for the assumed opening in Chicago? Here are four names to at least think about:
Anthony Grant
Current Position: HC Dayton MBB
HC Record: 325-175
While he does get a lot of crap, I am a firm defender of Anthony Grant as a coach. Dayton fans calling for his removal is foolish — the entire fanbase is over reactionary mainly because of how the magic 2020 season ended, along with the team’s lofty expectations year in and year out, falling ever so short each time under Grant.
Yes, Grant’s tenure has been a disappointment by Dayton’s standards, but when a pandemic takes away your most successful season to go along with very unlucky injury breaks, there had to be some leeway. That said, if 2023-24 doesn’t go as planned, Grant could be looking for a new job if there is enough outcry.
His program-building skills are elite; he knows how to utilize the portal and develop talent, plus his on-court product is a style that would change the culture immediately. This hire is a little more from leftfield at the time of this writing, and DePaul would likely have to pay a generous sum to get him to Chicago if Grant is for the taking. DeWayne Peevy would have no reason not to make a phone call if Grant does become available.
Tom Crean
Last Position: HC Georgia MBB (2018-2022)
HC Record: 403-306
Please refrain from the jokes that Tony Patelis fuels on Twitter for this exercise — DePaul needs someone who can evaluate talent correctly, be a solid in-game coach, and, most importantly, bring stability. Crean was an assistant under Tom Izzo, brought Marquette to a Final Four with Dwyane Wade in 2003, and returned Indiana to a semblance of national relevance when they were in a black hole.
Tom Crean has the traits that DePaul needs in their head basketball coach. Even with his absence from coaching reaching the two-year mark in 2024, it may not be the worst idea to call in Crean. Depending on who you ask, there are mixed reviews about Tom Crean’s character and his Georgia tenure , but DePaul needs someone a little more seasoned to run the show.
It is undoubtedly a difficult job, but think of Crean’s hiring to DePaul as similar to when Tom Thibedeau joined the Knicks: someone who has the tools and track record of a good coach but needed some time away to rejuvenate.
Travis Ford
Current Position: HC Saint Louis MBB
HC Record: 418-321
Travis Ford is the obvious candidate if any coach from the Atlantic 10 is to move this offseason. Despite his steady success and consistency at Saint Louis, the loyal fanbase is turning on him and calling for his removal. After getting a little lucky in 2019, Ford has not delivered in the last five seasons — four of which with arguably the most talented groups Saint Louis ever had.
DePaul fans are crying for consistency and some wins, and there is no doubt that Ford can provide that in Wintrust Arena. He won 20+ game in 4 of his last 6 years, and his track record at his previous stops speaks for itself. The downside is that his abilities are in question right now — most see him right now as a floor raiser of a coach.
While the standard for Saint Louis is higher than DePaul, raising the floor at Wintrust Arena may not be a horrible train of thought.
Niko Medved
Current Position: HC Colorado State MBB
HC Record: 183-152
If any coach will make a jump, Niko Medved will be the most coveted name on the coaching market this offseason. He’s generated a ton of momentum at Colorado State, and has developed an unmistakable identity to his team. DePaul could use his jump-shooting efficiency style, and he’s not a bad defensive coach, either.
Medved is also a longshot candidate since he’s very much qualified for better jobs, but if the offer is there and he wants a challenge, I can see Medved doing great things in Chicago. He understands local recruiting as he’s an alum of Minnesota and knows what he wants for his personnel — he’s not a complete stranger to the area. Again, Medved will get a much better job, more likely than not, but if he wants a Big East job to build from the ground up, DePaul should swing for the fences and throw all the money they can at Medved.
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