Xavier’s Travis Steele would be a perfect fit for Butler
I’d hate to see him go, but I’d love to see the rivalry turn friendly.
In the latest edition of the NCAA coaching carousel, you have the recent departure of Butler University head coach Chris Holtmann. Holtmann announced this week that he would replace recently fired coach Thad Matta at Ohio State.
Many were shocked, as Holtmann only took over for Butler 3 years ago when Brad Stevens departed for the Boston Celtics. Fast forward and now Holtmann is at the helm in Columbus. Some of the names that have been thrown around to replace Holtmann are former Indiana coach Tom Crean, Michigan State assistant coach Dan Fife, Boston Celtic’s assistant Micah Schrewsberry, and Butler assistant Terry Johnson.
While these names could be what Butler is looking for, a much better fit would be Xavier associate head coach Travis Steele. First and foremost Steele is a Butler alumnus. Currently, he is rated a 5-star recruiter. He has landed many stars to Victory Parkway, such as Semaj Christon of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jalen Reynolds of Italian basketball club Recanati, and NBA prospects Trevon Bluiett and Edmond Sumner. Additionally, Steele has secured 4 star recruit Paul Scruggs who is ranked the 36th best player in the country from the 2017 basketball recruiting class.
Steele is ready and has been ready to take a head coaching position at the D-I level. In 2015 he interviewed for the Northern Kentucky University position. He passed it up and was promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach by Musketeers head coach Chris Mack.
The Xavier fan in me would hate to lose Steele, but he is one of the best rising coaches in the country. If not now, Steele should be a head coach in the next 3 seasons. Butler or not, he will be a head coach one day.
Originally published at The Millennial Gazette on June 10, 2017.
