Wichita State, Texas A&M In Coaching Carousel

Last week Mark Turgeon left Wichita State to become the new men's basketball coach at Texas A&M. Billy Gillispie left A&M, the week before, for Kentucky.

Saturday, Wichita State introduced Greg Marshall, previously the head coach at Winthrop, as their new coach.

Greg Marshall has been considered a hot up coming coach for the last few years. Winthrop, a small school in South Carolina, has been a "giant killer" in the last few NCAA Tournaments. Marshall's name has been mentioned in conjunction with several high profile coaching vacancies. Wichita State is fortunate to have landed him.

As for Texas A&M, in his three seasons as coach, Billy Gillispie built the Aggies into an outstanding basketball team. But Texas A&M is, and has always been, a football school. Basketball has always been, to put it lightly, an afterthought. Gillispie truly worked magic in College Station, as basketball became an important part of A&M's culture during his brief tenure. That's nothing short of shocking to anyone familiar with Texas A&M.

But, since Texas A&M had no basketball tradition to speak of, it will be difficult for a new coach to maintain the current momentum. Billy G built the program. Just four years ago (one season prior to Gillispie's arrival), A&M won but one conference game. Mark Turgeon is a very good basketball coach. However, he has to win right away for Texas A&M to keep the basketball buzz. The program is in good hands with Turgeon, but his margin for error is slim.

Historically, Texas A&M has been a basketball black hole. For the first time, the school's administration has made a serious financial commitment to basketball program. A&M likes its recent basketball success. They'd like for it to continue, uninterrupted. Turgeon will have to deliver immediately.

Edit:

Speaking of the coaching change at Texas A&M, this San Antonio writer thinks the Big XII is losing strength because of the coaches who've jumped ship.

And, even though they never cared about basketball before, Texas A&M fans are more than a tad upset at "Billy Clyde" Gillispie for jumping ship.