Gregg Marshall Agrees to Stay at Wichita State

Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall is staying with the Shockers.

Alabama confirmed Wednesday night that Marshall would not be taking the Crimson Tide's head coaching position in a released statement from athletic director Bill Battle. The announcement came not long after numerous reports declared that Marshall had reached a verbal agreement to remain with the Shockers.

“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. My objective in this search is focused on one goal: to get the best person available to lead the Alabama men's basketball program. 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."

The 52-year-old Marshall has spent the past eight seasons at Wichita State, where he guided the Shockers to an overall record of 204-76 and four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including a Final Four berth in 2013. The Shockers fell 81-70 against No. 3-seeded Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 last Thursday in this season’s edition of the tournament.

Marshall was Battle’s top choice to replace Anthony Grant, who was fired on March 16 after six seasons. Grant had a 117-85 overall record, including three consecutive 20-plus win seasons at the school, but led the Crimson Tide to only one NCAA tournament appearance, a 58-57 first-round loss against Creighton in 2012.

Bleacher Report's Jason King was the first to report the news on Marshall's decision.

According to CBSSports.com, Marshall's new contract is a "seven-year deal worth $3.3 million per year." Marshall previously made $1.75 million plus incentives at Wichita State. Paul Suellentrop of the Wichita Eagle reported Alabama's offer as between $4.2-4.9 million for six years.

Earlier in the evening on Wednesday, Yahoo! Sports reported that Marshall was planning a visit to Tuscaloosa this Friday with his family.

Athletic director Bill Battle visited Marshall in Wichita on Monday to discuss the coaching vacancy. Last week, while the Shockers were still in the NCAA tournament, Marshall said on Jim Rome’s nationally-syndicated radio show that he would listen to a “crazy offer” from Alabama.

Prior to taking the Wichita State job in 2007, Marshall held an overall record of 194-83 with seven NCAA tournament appearances over nine seasons at Winthrop.

In 2014, a year after reaching the Final Four, Wichita State entered the NCAA tournament 34-0, the first team in 23 years to head into the single-elimination postseason event undefeated.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on Tuesday that Alabama has expressed interest in Minnesota coach Richard Pitino, son of Louisville coach Rick Pitino.