That was my point above, he's 55 - he gives DePaul 3-5 years and he starts winning, he's set for life. He can't turn it around, he's 60 years old, back in the old home town, and gets his TV expert job and retires. No sweat either way.I could be mistaken but I believe to leave Oklahoma if he did so before the end of March he'd have to pay a 6 million dollar buy out and I think it drops to 3 million after April.
It would be a move that would make a lot of sense for Porter but not for anyone else really. He has a lot of connections to Chicago and Illinois as a whole and he would do well from a recruiting standpoint at Depaul I think. But, Depaul is currently a tough place to win and if he did this, and it didn't work out, he'll likely find himself short on other options.
Someone who is religious/Catholic, has ties to Chicago, and knows they'd have a long leash.Color me perplexed. Who would want to drive that garbage truck?
And gets a "gold plated steering wheel" - he'll be paid nicely if he goes.Someone who is religious/Catholic, has ties to Chicago, and knows they'd have a long leash.
People probably asked Theo Epstein the same question in 2012.Color me perplexed. Who would want to drive that garbage truck?
I also think his time in Oklahoma is coming to a close and he needs an out.And gets a "gold plated steering wheel" - he'll be paid nicely if he goes.
..and maybe Porter is taking flight before he gets run over by the sooner schooner? His arse has to damn near be on fire ? Sooners agrees to let him leave at no costs to either side and he gets a contract at DePaul?Color me perplexed. Who would want to drive that garbage truck?
That happened with Greg McDermott. A lot of folks thought he was going to get canned at Iowa State and he took the job at Creighton.I also think his time in Oklahoma is coming to a close and he needs an out.
Though one can say porter turned around Loyola he did have help. Loyola had new leadership that wanted to move Loyola athletics forward and the university/alums invested resources to do so. That continued after Porter as Loyola upgraded conferences again.This makes sense on a lot of levels. Agree that the seat will inevitably get warmer and warmer in Oklahoma. The expectation of their boosters is to win and win big. For Porter, moving back to Chicago where he grew up and his family is from must be a strong appeal.
Regarding the dumpster fire that is DePaul, I get it but, they do have a history (not that that matters much) that Loyola did not have. If you compare Loyola vs DePaul, I would rather be at DePaul. Based on results, Porter went into Loyola and built them from the ground up.
The other consideration with DePaul is that while their base would never tolerate being at the worst in their conference, if Porter could turn them into a respectable program that is competing in the top 5 in their conference, there would be no pressure beyond that. It's like comparing the job security if you're coaching at Northwestern vs Ohio State.
For Porter, money isn't an issue as he has family wealth and has already earned a lot as a coach. This move would be about family, lifestyle and likely cultural compatibility (I personally wouldn't choose to live in Oklahoma) and in that respect, I think it's a great move.
I wish Porter nothing but the best and was grateful for the times I got to spend with him when he was at Illinois State.
People probably asked Theo Epstein the same question in 2012.