GCU made the right choice with the reported hire of Dan Majerle
He earned an extension, not a forced resignation with a 42-16 record the past two years and two straight trips to the NCAA tourney. I hate even writing this because I consider Russ Pennell a friend, but I would have done the same thing if I was Grand Canyon University. If I have a chance as a Division II school making the huge transition to Division I to hire an NBA assistant coach with 14 years experience as a player in the town he became famous, I say 'yes' and deal with the ramifications of my decision later. I would have felt crappy while doing it but it's rare you get a chance like this.
Dan Majerle is a legend in this town. He will have instant cache walking into any young man's home in the state and through most of the west. I believe Dan is not doing this for any other reason than he loves coaching. He has wanted to be a head coach for the last few years. I'm sure he also has some extra motivation to show some other decision makers in the area that he can be a head coach.
It's the right move for Grand Canyon. It's the right move for Dan Majerle. It's just the dirty side of college basketball that a good coach like Pennell gets fired -- excuse me -- resigns when everything he's done is exactly what was needed. Best of luck to both men.
Doug Franz, Co-host of Doug & Wolf










































