Marshall Shocker

Yeah, it would've been a shocker if Gregg had not have taken the WS job. Who in their right minds can blame him. We'll miss him in Rock Hill, but surely wish him the best.
Now to another point in this thread; We would have to be fools to expect the Eagles to eclipse the success of this past season next year. While still a very talented team, the talent level will still be lower. Now add in a new coach, regardless of how good he is, there will be a transition period. I have to wonder though, even though Peele was the "head recruiter" over the past four years, is he capable of taking the Eagles to the next level? No disrespect, but I seriously doubt it. As has been stated here, if you want Prime Rib, ya gotta pay for it. Until then, I guess Rock Hill has to settle for Chopped Sirloin. Peele's only other Head Coaching job was at UNC-G. Another Big South level school. Did he take them to the level that we've had at Winthrop? No. I sincerely hope he's learned a thing or two from Marshall and he's able to succeed.
One last note; I too really hoped that Marshall would be our Dean Smith and that the next Coliseum would've been the Gregg Marshall Center, but that wasn't realistic. It's all about the dollar and WU doesn't appear ready to part with enough to secure that type of future.

As for losing Coach Marshall, I was there. I was one of the first four people to meet Coach Marshall when he came to Winthrop 10 years ago. I was also there at all of those games, screaming an hollering for Winthrop when no one would come out to the games and the local politicans would try to ride on the coat-tails of those college kids just trying to get a break in life. To this day, I say: "SHAME ON YOU, Mayor Echols, Representative Gullick, and Want-To-Be Larry Bingham, have you NO conscience???!!!" I have had season tickets on the 3rd row of center court for those 10 years and have become very close personal friends with Gregg and his family. But I blame WINTRHOP Board of Trustees and President DigGorgio for losing Gregg!!! Granted every coach has their building years, and this year could have been one of those years. WINTHROP UNIVERSITY had a chance, a very good chance to really put themselves and that school on the map. How do you think the University of North Carolina got to be where they were with the Dean Smith Program? They kept believing in their coach and paying what needed to be paid to take their program for over 30 years to get to the final four for several years. To prove the point further look at Duke. Winthrop wants everyone to believe they are an upper echelon school, as in Winthrop Rockfeller upper echelon. But when push comes to shove, none of them really have the wealth needed to compete on that level. If they do and they are not spending it then, too bad, they will get what they deserve. If they don't have it, then quit trying to be something your not and appreciate who you are and what you are about. Giving a quality academic education to a middle class community. Praise your staff and support your staff, and most importantly believe in them. OR SIMPLY SHUT UP!!!

Anyone?