Marquette provides update on search for basketball coach

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Interim Marquette University Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Cords updated the media on Thursday afternoon on the school's search for a new men's basketball coach.

When asked if Cords could confirm or deny that MU had been in touch with Virginia Commonwealth Coach Shaka Smart, he said that he could not comment.  But Cords, who hired Kevin O'Neill and Tom Crean when he had the athletic director post, did comment when asked if the university had a timetable for bringing in the next coach.

Cords said a new coach will be hired before a new athletic director. In fact, he plans to stay on board for another year.

Marquette is without a coach at the moment because Buzz Williams took a job with Virginia Tech University after six mostly successful seasons coaching with MU.

Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock announced Williams’ hiring last Friday night in a statement.

Marquette thanked Williams in a statement for elevating the program in the Big East. The Golden Eagles finished 17-15 this year, ending their eight-year streak of NCAA tournament appearances.

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