YouTube of Press Conference

Clips

Think the Billikens don't get any coverage? Well they are today. This is just a small sampling.

Local Guys

• Timmerman Write-Up - It's official: Majerus will coach Bills
• Timmerman Blog - The Billikens New World
• Bernie's Bits - Hiring Majerus shows SLU has had enough of mediocrity
• Belleville News Democrat - It's Official: SLU hires Majerus
• KSDK - AP Article - Big Man On Campus: Majerus Named As SLU Head Coach
• KMOX has an interview with Earl Austin Online
  

National Scene

• CBS Sportsline - AP Article
• ESPN - Andy Katz
• Sports Illustrated - AP Article
• Sporting News
• AOL Sports
  

Other Local Press

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The following are carrying R.B. Fallstrom's AP Article

• ABC News
• NBC Sports
  
• Forbes
• KFNS
  
• Salt Lake Tribune
• Chicago Daily Herald
• The Clarion Ledger
• Miami Herald

The Bloggers

• Another SLU Blog (Welcome to the club, of 3...Timmerman was first)
• The News Bucket
  
• Boddogbeat

Some other mentions (Mostly AP Pickups)

• The Detroit News
• The Daily Sentinel - Colorado
• The State - South Carolina
• The Kansas City Star
• INS News - Austrailia
• News Record - North Carolina
• Cape Cod Times - Mass.
• Arizona Daily Star
• Charlotte Observer

These are just some of the many mentions across the nation and world. If you come across something unique, send it my way or put it in comments.

I am sure the Billiken Bloggers will have some thoughts of their own this weekend.

It's Official: SLU Release

Rick Majerus will lead the Billikens into the 2007-08 season.

April 27, 2007

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., announced today that Rick Majerus will be the new Billikens head men's basketball coach. Prior to working as a college basketball analyst for ESPN for the last three years, Majerus amassed a 422-147 career head coaching record and took his teams to the postseason 15 times.

The University will hold an on-campus news conference at 10 a.m. Monday, April 30, to formally announce Majerus' appointment. The news conference will be held in Busch Student Center, 20 N. Grand Blvd.

"I am extremely excited about having a person of Rick Majerus' stature and reputation at the helm of our men's basketball team. I know that we are now headed to take our men's basketball team to the next level" Father Biondi said. "Rick and I have gotten a chance to know each other over the past week, and I am very impressed with all that he will bring to our men's basketball program, including his commitment to run a program that we can all be proud of."

"Rick Majerus is known as one of the most passionate basketball coaches in America, and he has already communicated that passion to all he has met at SLU," said Director of Athletics Cheryl Levick. "Rick is committed to taking our men's basketball program to the next level, which is what our athletic department and all Billiken fans want. We are also excited about what this means to SLU athletics."

Majerus will join University officials at the news conference Monday.

-Source

Way to go SLU. Good Job.

Friday Afternoon Report: Press Conference Monday

According to Frank, Bernie, & Slaten there should be a Press Conference Monday. - Source

ESPN CONFIRMS WITH MAJERUS QUOTES - SOURCE

Nothing official from SLU yet.

Thursday Morning Report

UPDATE: Frank Cusamano is now reporting that:

• Majerus and his attorney should be in St. Louis tonight (yet more hotel rooms booked)
• Majerus is to meet with the team tonight
• Press Conference Tomorrow

It should be noted that SLU has denied these reports, and all of this information comes through posters of Billikens.com. Therefore, once again, choose to believe what you will. - Source

---

The general theme is the two sides are exchanging lists and trying to get on the same page. According to Frank Cusamano this morning, SLU had thought the main sticking point was salary, but apparently Majerus has come back with other demands.

As posted by glanderm - Source:

• Nine contract points agreed to between Biondi and Majerus in a face to face meeting on Sunday. SLU was under the impression the only open item at that point was salary
• SLU had booked rooms the last two nights for Majerus, but canceled reservations each night.
• Majerus side keeps making additional requests and that is annoying SLU

Reminder, this is a press conference today for the Chaifetz Arena at 11:30am Central. This (to my knowledge) will be Levick and Biondi's first sports related public appearance since Brad's firing. Let's hope there are some aggressive reporters - Source

No Press Conference Today

Despite the hopes of many Billiken fans, the consensus seems to be that there will not be a press conference today. - Source

Reports on Billikens.com today have ranged from:

• It being a done deal - Source
• Majerus was being picked up at the Airport - Source
• Majerus has a hotel room reservation and will be in St. Louis Tonight - Source
• KSDK's Rene Knott reports that SLU is in negotiations with a hotel for a long term reservation, but Majerus is not in St. Louis at the moment - Source
  
• Thorpe will be retained as an assistant for the next year - Source
• The situation could potentially implode - Source

In my opinion, nothing is a done deal until SLU makes an announcement. All Billiken nation can do is wait and see.

Tuesday Afternoon Update

moytoy, a Billikens.com poster & blogger, reported that Bernie has said the following things on his radio show:

"Rustlings on campus that make you think that this is going to happen"..."such as getting the band ready and getting local dignitaries ready for a press conference/celebration"

moytoy later posted: BM is told the momentum is "very good" and that slu apparently seems willing to give RM "what he wants." BM stated that it seems up to whether RM wants to coach or not." - Source

Let's see what happens...

SLU's New Coach: Play by Play

If you have been trying to follow the SLU, Soderberg, Majerus madness recently, you may think you are in a middle school full of gossip. Well...that is probably a good way to describe it.

The last time Billikens nation was in the tizzy it is in now was when Tommie Liddell's recruitment fell into jeopardy with the UNLV, street agent fiasco. If Billikens.com traffic is any indication, Tuesday the web site had six times its average. There have been over 2300 posts since Brad was let go by the university. Things to say the least have been a little nuts.

This will be my attempt to filter out the madness and update people on where we are now. The only facts are specifically stated as so. The rest is speculation by the media and posters. It is up to you to choose what you believe.

Monday
Salt Lake Tribune reports that Rick Majerus plans to make his decision today according to his agent - Source

Bernie reports that who pays for cell phones is another issue. He backs off the statement some that moving to the MVC was a demand - Source

Sunday
Bernie reports that Majerus made a list of demands/requests to SLU, including they join the MVC - Source

Earl Austin and others on SportsPlus confirm a list of demands was made. They mentioned Chartered Flights and Assistant Coaches salaries - Source

Saturday
Fox Sports reports that Majerus is in St. Louis - Source

PD Reports Biondi and Majerus have met. He wants the next 24-48 hours to decide if he wants to return to coaching - Source

Friday
Tom Timmeran Blogs:

• School hoping to get everything done by next week regarding the coach. (Steve note, from Romar to Soderberg took 9 days. April 3, 2002 to April 12, 2002 See Source)
  
• Biondi and Levick are to speak at the St. Louis Press Club Thursday about the Arena. This was scheduled prior to this week though.


• Sometime Friday - Angres Thorpe, the interim coach, flew to Chicago to meet with recruit Marcus Relphorde about staying at SLU, and said he’s willing to wait and see who gets the job.

Friday, 3:45pm - Bernie reported that Biondi and Majerus have spoken three times - Source

Friday, 11:30am - McGraw Milhaven reported on 550 that Majerus will be on campus today. - Source

Friday, 10:38am - Frank Cusamano and Rammer report that Majerus has spoken to Biondi twice and has looked at tapes. Chaifetz and Majerus simply couldn't schedule a meeting yesterday. - Source

Below is everything up until Friday.

I will break down the following into 3 types of analysis
1) Only Official News
2) The extremes of where the speculation has gone
3) What I believe is the current situation

Official News
1) Brad Soderberg was informed he was to be replaced by the University on Tuesday - Source
2) Angres Thorpe was made the interim head coach - Source
3) Saint Louis University has hired Eastman & Baudine Inc to assist them with their coaching search. - Source

General Trend of Speculation

• From a reputable source, the team was pulled out of class at 9:15 on Tuesday and informed of what had happened by the coaching staff. There was supposed to be another meeting at 12:30, but I don’t know of any report regarding this. - Source


• There is some speculation that Biondi kept Levick completely out of the loop regarding this until it happened. - Source
  
• Some think that Biondi was pressured by a large donor or booster, specifically Chaifetz, to fire Brad. Dough Geottlieb has even speculated that an additional $8 million for the arena was on the table to do this. - Source
  
• Saint Louis University Spokesman Jeff Fowler has categorically denied that Chaifetz is involved - Source
  
• Following this, it was posted on Billikens.com by a reputable source that that former Utah Coach and ESPN Announcer Rick Majerus was to be on SLU’s Campus Thursday - Source
  
• Frank Cusamano the same night said that Biondi had contacted Majerus - Source
  
• On Thursday, Cusamano apparently said on his radio show that Chaifetz was planning to meet with Majerus in Chicago - Source
  
• Bernie reported on his forum that Majerus was looking at SLU video tape and was in touch with Biondi - Source


• By the end of the day a girl supposedly from the University News reported that SLU stated Chaifetz had no involvement at all - Source


• Other speculation comes from Kevin Slaten who said that Levick met with former Virginia coach Pete Gillen during the season - Source

This is what Steve thinks happened before Friday

I believe the team was pulled out of class at 9:15 as reported, and the news was shared. The release from SLU was posted very shortly after it was announced on Billikens.com. There was intense speculation of what was going on, but I think the person that provided the best insight was Rich Grawer in a KFNS interview when he described how he was fired. It sounds very much like the current situation.

Tom Timmerman’s blog post on Thursday night is too conservative. I believe Rick Majerus has been contacted. Bernie and Frank have both reported it multiple times. Longtime Billikens.com poster kevinfootes also hearing that it has happened makes me believe it more because he does not post that sort of speculation often. This coupled with another reputable poster stating that SLU expects to have a coach next week makes me inclined to say that SLU already knows who they want. Is that Majerus? If I had to bet, I would say yes. Will SLU get him? I would be less inclined to bet on that one. Majerus has nothing to lose by toying with SLU.

Biondi was likely behind the firing. I do not know whether or not boosters were involved. However, in college sports it is doubtful a decision like this is made without them. I cannot say with confidence that it is Chaifetz. I do think recruiting is what cost Brad his job. Not because of the players he put on the floor, but I think no fall recruits, a struggling spring signing period, and little positive news about the 2008 class gave Biondi the reason to do it.

As for the timing, initially I thought it was silly, but if Biondi pulls a rabbit out of his hat, it will be called the most genius move ever.

Right now, we have the only coaching opening. If we want someone like Majerus, there is no one to outbid us right now. If SLU were to get into a Majerus bidding war in March, we would have paid much more for him or likely not even had got him. We then would have probably gotten a coach of Brad Soderberg or Brian Gregory caliber.

My prediction:

Nothing substantial will be announced until Tuesday of next week. Over the weekend, a coach will be flown into St. Louis, and this will be leaked by SLU in some way (it will make it onto Billikens.com somehow). Over the weekend, this coach will meet with the players, and Biondi will offer him a substantial contract. If the coach signs, Thorpe will be retained and there will be at least one high priced assistant hired.

If Biondi messes this up, SLU basketball could really become a joke. The next week will determine SLU’s next four years.

I would also like to note the following.

While I have heard many things both positive and negative about Brad Soderberg from players, coaches, media personalities, and an assortment of individuals, he has been nothing but a genuinely kind person to me. He seems to be a stand up individual, and I feel for him and his family. Most of all, I think one disappointing thing that has been overlooked is the effect on Brad and Kramer. As a father, I am certain that Brad would love to do nothing more than coach his boy. He may still get to do that, but it is a lot less likely. If anything, I think that is what will stick with the Soderberg family more than anything. I wish them all the best.

Brad's Greatest Hits

Despite the fact that Brad Soderberg's disappointing five-year tenure at SLU yielded ZERO NCAA Tournament bids, his teams did provide Billiken Nation with some great memories. Here are my top five wins of the Soderberg era:

2/12/03 – SLU 59, Louisville 58
Marque Perry and the boys shock Rick Pitino’s #2-ranked Cardinals in one of the greatest wins in school history. The students swarm the court. Earl Austin Jr. nearly hyperventilates. The Billikens, 8-12 at the time, begin an eight-game winning streak and march on to the NIT.

3/16/04 – SLU 70, Iowa 69
A three-pointer by Drejaj at the buzzer beats Iowa in the first round of the NIT. SLU erases an 18-point deficit to knock off the Hawkeyes.

11/30/05 – SLU 56, SIU 42
The Bills dismantle a Saluki squad that would go on to finish 22-10 with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Probably the most impressive non-conference win during Soderberg’s five years at SLU.

3/11/04 – SLU 72, Memphis 61
A great team effort keeps the Bills alive in the Conference USA Tournament as they defeat the #23 Tigers.

2/18/03 – SLU 58, Cincinnati 55
Spoon couldn’t do it. Lorenzo couldn’t do it. Brad’s Bills continue their momentum from the win against Louisville by downing Huggins and the Bearcats for the first time ever at “The Shoe.”

Honorable Mention:

2/22/03 – SLU 62, DePaul 61
Marque Perry beats the Blue Demons in the Windy City with a buzzer-beating basket.

3/5/04 – SLU 72, Houston 69 (OT)
Bills overcome a 20-point second half deficit and beat the Cougars. Philip Hunt's tip-in at the buzzer sends the game to overtime.

3/5/05 – SLU 51, Marquette 39
With his father in the stands at the Bradley Center, Wisconsin native Soderberg's squad defeats the 19-9 Warriors/Golden Eagles/Gold/Golden Eagles, ruining Marquette's senior day and dashing their NCAA hopes.

1/22/06 – SLU 59, Xavier 54
SLU defeats its former MCC nemesis in Cincy.

An Awkward Calm

I know my passion for Billiken basketball has not changed, but I feel an awkward calm after a pretty unexpected announcement of Coach Soderberg being fired today. I can attribute this calm to many things, but I think these days it's just my overall optimism.

It's way too early to declare this firing a disaster. Does it have the makings for a disaster - sure? But, it can also turn out to be a good move. I will agree with the media and most message boards and say the timing is odd, but ultimately I think this move was coming. It may have been in 12 months and it may have been in 24 months, but I think it was coming. That being said, everyone else in this post will be under my speculation that this move would have happened eventually.

I really like Coach Soderberg, but I just don't think he had most of the attributes needed to take this program to the next level. I used to believe he did, but too many things have made me think otherwise.

The fact that SLU made this move at this time may show a lack of judgment on SLU's part, but does it show a commitment from the top administration at SLU - FINALLY? I don't recall many people, if any at all, that thought Brad would be fired at the end of this season. I know many who wanted it and were calling for it, but I don't know of any that thought it would be pulled off because of his contract and having a program that would likely not buy out a Coach's contract. So, this move tells me something in that regard. Also, who would have ever thought SLU would ever fire their Coach after a 20 win season and an improvement from the prior season. I wouldn't have thought that especially coupled with the contract issue.

If you look at our current roster does anybody believe this team would be better next year under Coach Soderberg? I don't think they would have been any better and I don't think they would have been any worse. I think we would have had a very similar season. If that speculation is even somewhat correct, I think an upgrade in coaching can at least pull that off next year. And, I think I would rather have TL and KL with 2 seasons with a new Coach as opposed to just one. I also think the inaugural season in the arena, which can create a new atmosphere and new image for this Billiken program moving forward, would be better served having TL and KL playing their second year under a new Coach.

I also worried about the recruiting of Kramer Soderberg and any recruits that may have come our way because of relationships that Kramer had from playing with or knowing these other recruits. What if Brad were fired next year and then we lose Kramer and potentially anybody he helped bring here. Maybe I am overestimating the influence of Kramer, but it's a thought.

It's also recognized that the '08 class is loaded with players. Can an upgrade in Coaching help us salvage what might have been another recruiting miss for SLU? I think it can.

There is definitely is a lot to think about and while this move appears scary due to its timing, there may be a silver lining in the whole thing.

I feel horrible for Coach Soderberg and his family. I hope this move doesn't negatively affect Kramer in having to move and play his senior year in a new city on a new team. I feel sorry for the players who were close to Coach and enjoyed playing for him. I feel sorry for any assistants that are affected by this move ultimately and change can always create uncertain feelings.

I am speculating and hoping that none of our players leave as a result of this and no other fallout happens, but nothing is certain in those regards. One thing that is certain is that SLU shocked me today and for some reason I am not freaking out about it. I hope that continues to be the case.

Right Move, Wrong Time?

Saint Louis University fired men’s basketball coach Brad Soderberg today. Isn’t there an old adage that says timing is everything? Assuming the firing of Coach Soderberg is step one in a well thought out plan to immediately upgrade SLU basketball and finally move it towards the long echoed but unfilled sentiment of a “top 50 program”, then over the long term, I think the timing is ok. Not great. Not horrible. Just ok. Chaifetz Arena will open its doors to the 08-09 team and the $80 million investment can ill-afford to produce a substandard product or be promoted by a sincere, but listless marketer. On the surface, Coach Soderberg had little momentum even on the heels of a 20/19 win season. Recruitment over the last three to four recruitment periods was stale. His failure to recruit was unceremoniously coronated during the 2006-2007 when a walk-on received more time in a key conference game than a scholarship player. Team depth was an issue and the coach did little to improve it. He had the effort, but did not obtain the results. The team has a number of special players, but over the last two years, he could not lead them to a marquee win. In key games over the last two seasons, SLU was defeated by an average 17 points. These key games include games against Gonzaga, North Carolina (twice), St. Joseph’s (in the 2006 A-10 Conference Tournament), Texas A&M, and George Washington (in the 2007 A-10 Conference Tournament). There were rumblings that Coach Soderberg had alienated the support of his players. Finally, SLU had little to no support in the local media and was surpassed by area schools that had success with recruits that should have been wearing a SLU jersey.

Alternatively, in the short term, the timing seems to be horrible. Basically, half of the projected class is signed (will SLU release them from these commitments?) and Coach Soderberg was rumored to be in on a number of other quality recruits. Any inroads that Coach Soderberg made on the 2008 class have likely been extinguished. The next coach has the monumental task of closing out the 2007 class with quality people/players and must now play catch-up on the much ballyhooed 2008 St. Louis area class (but who is to say that the new coach would be much further behind Soderberg, since he was still working on the 2007 class?). This is not to mention the current players. What are the twin pillars of SLU’s current team, Tommy Liddell and Kevin Lisch, thinking? Could a transfer be in their future? Finally, why not effectuate this plan earlier, perhaps right after the season. The universe of quality coaches has narrowed precipitously as many possible replacements have signed or been extended elsewhere. There is no doubt that this decision should have been made sooner with a keener eye on the short term implications to SLU basketball.

At the end of the day, I have to hope that the long-term benefit of a successful hire can overcome the short-term negative repercussions. At this point, I will put my trust in the SLU administration and Cheryl Levick. I have been advocating on billikens.com most of the season that if a coaching change was made, then I would only support such a change if Cheryl Levick (and the administration) performed exhaustive due diligence. If after such due diligence, there was a better option than Brad Soderberg to lead SLU, then I support the change regardless of timing. I will never know if this is the case.

If this move was executed in typical haphazard fashion as is too often the case when it comes to SLU basketball, then Father Biondi, Cheryl Levick, and the boosters have done SLU basketball and its supporters a horrible disservice. Someone at billikens.com mentioned, rightfully so, that this was a turning point for SLU basketball. Which way the program turns is yet to be seen.

What is Brad selling?

Coach Brad Soderberg has been getting a lot of negative attention in regards to his recruiting ability. There seems to be arguments both ways, but what aren’t arguable are the results on the court. Coach has improved his win total the last few years and has now just completed a twenty win season. Achieving twenty wins though did not get the Billikens to any post season play which has to be the mark which he is measured against. The spring signing period is upon us and has everybody on the edge of their seats as to how that turns out. Will we be a better team next year and will we be a better team in the years to come? The answers to those questions will start surfacing as the roster starts to surface.

There are both facts and speculations being shared in regards to Coach’s financial resources, the school’s commitment, the school’s facilities, academic requirements, etc. There are over 300 Division I basketball teams in the NCAA and if you take away the top programs each school has their share of advantages and disadvantages. The one thing that does differ from school to school is the Coach and what they bring to the table.

I guess the thing I really want to know is how is Brad selling himself? We’ve seen some of the top players in the nation follow coaches to schools. After all, a big part of the recruiting game is selling. You have to sell yourself and you have to sell the program.

When I was 17 years old I changed high schools and I looked at a few different high schools. The high school I ending up going to had the worst facilities, was in the worst part of town, had the least amount of camaraderie among the students and had a limited sports tradition. The very reason I chose the school was because of the people who were involved in my visits and the ones I spoke with. The Guidance Counselor and Principal sold me on the positive changes going on at that school. They sold me on how I was going to contribute to the changes and what a difference maker I could become. They were right!

My point for bringing this up is that high school basketball players all have things that are individually important to them. Does Brad identify those things quick enough and does he sell to those things? Does he sell what HE can do for that player? Does he come across as a leader and somebody one would want to follow? I have no way of knowing. I only know what I see on the surface. I have met Brad Soderberg three times and have spoken with him twice but only for a short period of time. He comes across as a very genuine person and he seems likable enough. One thing I never got from him personally or when I listen to interviews with him is confidence. He doesn’t exude confidence to me. Confidence comes in many forms, but it’s not something I pick up with him. I’ve heard many interviews with him and he often states how he doesn’t have the answers to things. Does Brad Soderberg feel he can take this program to the next level? I don’t know that answer. It doesn’t matter whether I think he can or not, but does he really believe after what he has accomplished so far that he can achieve the task? Again, not something I know.

I believe in many ways Brad is starting over. I have started a couple businesses from scratch with zero capital. I’ve approached investors and venture capital companies and the toughest thing is selling them on a vision and selling them on why you are the man they can trust to achieve that vision. That can be a very tough task if you don’t have a proven track record of success or your company is jumping into a highly competitive market. Many times when you give your presentations you only have a limited amount of time to sell yourself. Most investors will take a hard look at the numbers, but no matter how good the numbers may look, if they don’t believe you can execute what you are proposing, they’re not buying into your venture.

I know the analogy may not be a perfect one, but I do know this: If Brad doesn’t come across with a deal great deal of confidence, doesn’t solidly sell his realistic vision for the program and convince players that he’s the man to accomplish the tasks; players are not buying into it as well. Brad has two very talented juniors on his team next year and a state of the art facility the following year. My questions are: Can he convince players that he can develop them as players? Can he convince kids that he has the foundation to take this program to the next level? Can he sell to what the individual prospect wants? Can he come across as a leader? Can he develop a team that will leave it all on the court every night? Can he convince a player he will surround him with a supporting cast each and every year they play for him? I simply don’t know at this point. I would like to believe he can, but I don’t how he is selling things and how he is selling himself.