The Xavier Musketeers have found their replacement head coach by promoting longtime assistant coach Travis Steele to the position. This decision came shortly after head coach Chris Mack accepted a job with the Louisville Cardinals. Steele has been with the Xavier Musketeers for ten years including the last two years as associate head coach. The move to hire within was expected and now Steele will have to pick up where his mentor left off.
I am extremely excited to be the next Head Coach at Xavier University! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/UJ4peYMwIv
— Travis Steele (@CoachSteeleXU) March 31, 2018
Steele who is only 36, will face the task of keeping Xavier relevant in the Big East and contend with the likes of Villanova. The Big East has developed a history of producing great basketball coaches but has struggled with keeping them in the conference. The bigger conferences just have more money that they can spend despite the success the Big East has seen. Xavier could find itself in a similar situation in a few years if Steele proves to be a talented coach.
Xavier has three solid three-star prospects already committed to the 2018 recruiting class, but now Steele will have to set his eyes on adding prospects to its 2019 class. Bringing in talent and succeeding with them will be key for Steele at Xavier. Fans of the Musketeers are used to winning as of late and may have a low tolerance for learning on the job. Travis Steele does have deep ties to the midwest, so that should help him when he hits the recruiting trail.
Steele is following in the footsteps of Chris Mack and is extremely excited to begin his journey as an NCAA head coach. The team is ready to move on and continue its recent winning ways.
