Gregg Marshall rebuffs Alabama, will stay at Wichita State

After a long, highly leveraged courtship by Alabama, Wichita State men’s basketball coach Gregg Marshall is staying in Kansas.

Bleacher Report’s Jason King first reported the news of Marshall staying, which was then corroborated by ESPN’s Rece Davis.

Marshall was reported to be visiting Tuscaloosa on Friday, but it appears a deal was made beforehand for him to stay at Wichita State.

Alabama made a hard push at Marshall, reportedly offering him between $4.2 and $4.9 million, according to the Wichita Eagle. But the foundation he has built at Wichita State seemed to be more of a draw than a blank check.

But he did use the negotiations to his advantage. CBS Sports is reporting Marshall’s new contract with the Shockers to be a seven-year deal worth $3.3 million per year.

In his eight years with the Shockers, Marshall led Wichita State to a 204–75 record, and after winning the NIT in 2010, the team has made the NCAA tournament four straight years. In 2013, Wichita State went to the Final Four, and were a No. 1 seed in 2014 after finishing the regular season and conference tournament with a 35-0 record. Marshall’s team made this year’s Sweet 16 after defeating Kansas, but was eliminated by Notre Dame in the Elite Eight.

In response to Marshall decided to stay put, Alabama athletic director Bill Battle confirmed the news in a released statement.

“I received word tonight that Coach Gregg Marshall has chosen to remain the head basketball coach at Wichita State,” Battle said. “I fully respect his decision and wish him and his family all the best.”

Now Alabama and Battle will have to re-fuel the plane and go after another coach — one that is more receptive to moving to Tuscaloosa.

“My objective in this search is focused on one goal: to get the best person available to lead the Alabama men’s basketball program,” Battle said. “I remain determined to bring to our program a proven head coach with impressive credentials, one who understands and values our program, wants to lead our program, and is excited about what can be accomplished at the University of Alabama.”