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03-14-2021, 03:25 PM
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#9 |
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Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty
Big East 2020-21 Final Standings  |
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03-14-2021, 03:48 PM
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#10 |
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MVP
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Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty
 DePaul's Season Ends, Program Eyes Uncertain Future The DePaul Blue Demons just finished a grueling season: one that saw game postponements, a late start to the season, multiple player injuries that ultimately culminated in another losing season. DePaul finished 8-21, winning just three games in the Big East and ending the season on a 8 game losing streak. It's the second straight season that they started with high hopes that were only dashed once conference play started. Last year, before COVID shortened their postseason, DePaul had started 9-1 before finishing 16-16 with just three conference wins. This year, a sluggish start out of the gates saw the Demons come alive in late November, winning 4 of 5 games to close the month. Head Coach Dave Leitao was disappointed in how this season finished, but was proud of his players for what they endured. Finishing his sixth season, in his second stint at the helm - this is DePaul's fourth losing season since Leitao returned. After a postseason appearance and runner-up finish in the 2019 CBI Tournament, fans were excited about a young team heading into the 2019-20 season. Those hopes were met with an exciting start, that also led DePaul to lock Leitao into a multiyear extension. Since then, DePaul has moved on from their former Athletic Director and new AD DeWayne Peevy has been mum on the status of his Head Coach. It's expected that Leitao might have coached his last game; when his Demons took a four-point lead to the locker room, only to lose by 7 to Butler in the first round of the Big East Tournament. DePaul will see 5 players leave to graduation, and roster retention remains a concern. Multiple players over the last few years have transferred out of the program. Peevy has said that stability is key going forward - a trait that seems to be lacking in the Leitao era. The Blue Demons will be saying goodbye to starters Charlie Moore, Pauly Paulicap and Monmouth transfer Ray Salnave. They'll also be losing two reserve guards, Jason Malonga and Pantelis Xidias. Even with the complications of a COVID season, this was clearly not the result many expected from DePaul. After last year's collapse, it was clear that Leitao needed a bounce back season. His Demons did not deliver, instead turning in another losing season. This season marks 17 seasons since the Demons last appeared in the NCAA tournament. Peevy has said that the men's basketball program is the 'key' driver of the University's athletics. His high expectations have clearly not been met, leaving many to question what comes next for the Blue Demons.
marshdaddy and BookWork123 like this.
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03-15-2021, 12:04 PM
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#11 |
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MVP
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Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty
BookWork123 likes this.
Last edited by Maize08; 05-11-2021 at 12:44 AM. |
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03-15-2021, 12:28 PM
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#12 |
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Pro
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Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty
Maize08 likes this.
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03-16-2021, 01:34 PM
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#13 |
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MVP
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Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty
DePaul Parts Ways with Coach Dave Leitao DePaul Athletics and men's basketball coach Dave Leitao have agreed to part ways. This news comes following the end of their season, the fifth straight season that DePaul has finished last in the Big East Conference. Leitao, who coached the Blue Demons for six years in his second stint as Head Coach; finished with a record of 66-112 overall and 21-84 in the Big East. The only postseason appearance was a runner-up finish in the 2019 CBI Tournament. New Athletic Director DeWayne Peevy could not be reached for comment, but in the press release that announced the decision, it was stated that Peevy will lead a national search for the team's next Head Coach. Peevy will be using a national executive search firm to aid in the coaching search. It's expected that Peevy will use his years of connections made at Kentucky in an effort to bring a top coach to DePaul. Currently, DePaul is the only Big East program without a Head Coach. It's been a difficult transition for the Demons to the Big East; the new coach will be expected to make the program more competitive and no longer a cellar dweller. |
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03-16-2021, 03:55 PM
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#14 |
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MVP
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Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty
Early Update on DePaul's Coaching Search When new DePaul Athletic Director DeWayne Peevy arrived to Lincoln Park in August, he told everyone involved to "dream big dreams." He did not want the Athletic Department to be thinking small, but instead to take bigger swings and get creative to make each sports program better. He has not been shy about stating the importance of the men's basketball program to the Athletic Department and the University. Peevy knows the history well; a storied program under Ray Meyer who has not found the right leader to get them back to a consistent, winning level. Part of dreaming big also involved an increase in investment into key programs. Peevy led a $1 million dollar fundraising blitz last year, and has said that DePaul won't miss out on investing in 'talent.' Right now, that means an investment in the basketball program. One day after Dave Leitao parted ways from DePaul, the Athletic Department has already started their search for his replacement. Since fans have been told to 'dream big dreams,' there have been rumors that link many coaches to the opening with the Demons. It's unknown the exact criteria, but it seems that nothing will limit DePaul from bringing in the best coach for the job. Here are some of the names (alphabetically) that are often rumored in connection with DePaul: - John Beilein, former Michigan Head Coach. Not coaching in 2020, working as an analyst for the Big Ten Network. He is well respected, after building a top program at Michigan that included two Final Four appearances. At 68 years old, it's unknown if he plans on returning to coaching. That hasn't stopped his name from being connected to many of the top openings in college basketball this cycle. - Dennis Gates, Cleveland State Head Coach. After leading the Vikings to the NCAA tournament, Gates has become a hot name attached to many open jobs this year. A Chicagoan, he attended Whitney Young High School at the same time as DePaul and NBA player Quentin Richardson. He was an ace recruiter for numerous Power 5 schools, including Florida State. A rising name in coaching circles, he could be a strong, young hire for DePaul. - Bobby Hurley, Arizona State Head Coach. Hurley was originally tied to DePaul back when Leitao was brought back six years ago. He has proven to be a strong recruiter and has led two different programs to the NCAA Tournament (Arizona State and Buffalo). He did, however, recently lose his lead assistant (and DePaul alum) Rashon Burno to Northern Illinois. Burno took the Head job in DeKalb, leaving questions about Hurley’s connection to the Chicagoland area. It’s been reported that he could leave Arizona State, but it’s not know if he would join the Big East to potentially coach against his brother Dan at UConn. - That Matta, former Ohio State Head Coach. Matta's name has been tied to many openings in the Big Ten and programs in the Midwest in the last two years. His 439 wins in 17 seasons includes strong stops at Butler, Xavier and Ohio State. It's unknown if he has interest in returning to coaching at this time. - Archie Miller, recently fired from Indiana as Head Coach. While Miller struggled during his time with the Hoosiers; he was a top coach at the mid-major level when he led Dayton to the Elite Eight. Miller is still young and has proven to be a strong recruiter. Although four years at Indiana yielded no tournament appearances, he’s still just 42 years old and could be looking for a spot to prove he can still build a winning program. - Porter Moser, Loyola Chicago Head Coach. Moser led the Ramblers back to the NCAA tournament this past season. He first caught national attention when he led Loyola to the Final Four in 2018. He has been a Head Coach for 17 seasons and has developed a strong reputation as an X’s and O’s coach. If he’s looking to move on from Loyola, DePaul would be a step up in competition. It would also bring increased expectations, while keeping him in Chicago. Two other names to consider are top assistants with ties to DeWayne Peevy: Current Knicks Assistant Coach Kenny Payne and Kentucky Assistant Joel Justus. Payne was a strong recruiter for Coach Calipari at UK, while also being considered one of the stronger player development coaches in the country. He’s now in the NBA and it’s not known if he wants to return to college. He has been interviewed previously for Head Coach positions, including at Mississippi State. Justus has been an assistant at UK for the last five years and he’ll soon be ready to move on to head coaching duties. Under Calipari, he no doubt learned what it takes to recruit and win at the high-major level. Those are just some of the names that are often tied to the opening at DePaul. This is not a complete list, as it’s expected Peevy is leading a national search and is feeling the pressure as this will be his first Head Coach hired while leading DePaul athletics.
marshdaddy and georgiafan like this.
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