CHICAGO _ Mid-major coaches aren't supposed to stick around.
When a high-major program comes calling _ especially when it opens its purse strings _ a coach is supposed to jump at the opportunity.
Loyola Chicago's Porter Moser opted against this, turning down a reported eight-year deal worth $17 million to $18 million from St. John's.
"At the end of the day, it's being at a place where I can influence," Moser told the Tribune on Tuesday. "You can't put a price tag on that."
Credit Moser for appreciating that sometimes you don't mess with a good thing.
Throughout the years, Gonzaga's Mark Few has turned down high-major offers and built the Bulldogs into a perennial national title contender. Villanova coach Jay Wright has turned down offers from supposed bigger and better schools and even overtures from the NBA to build a two-time national champion.
Of course, those two are paid much more than Moser.
Loyola should consider itself lucky Moser was inclined to stay in Chicago, proud of the program he has built, his Midwest recruiting ties and an athletic culture that rivals any team in the state.
According to a source, Loyola did not make a counteroffer to keep Moser. The university did give him a substantial raise to about $900,000 after the 2018 Final Four.
Moser had logical reasons to leave. St. John's reportedly was willing to more than double his salary. He undoubtedly would shine in the New York media market. Maybe most important, Moser would leave behind the headaches of coaching in a one-bid, mid-major conference.
Moser struggles to find teams willing to play the Ramblers _ and the challenge grows with the team's success.
"One thing that's frustrating was the body of work in college basketball doesn't mean anything," he said. "It's a big reason I was (considering an offer) but also a big reason I didn't take it: This year we lose three guys, Lucas (Williamson) missed 19 games and we win the league again. Then in the (Missouri Valley) tournament, Marques (Townes) has the worst game of his career and we lose by two. The body of work doesn't mean anything. I don't want mid-major basketball to turn into that."
This setup for mid-major coaches can drive them out of those conferences. Until the system changes and more mid-major programs earn at-large NCAA Tournament bids, schools need to get creative to keep their coaches.
Loyola doesn't have the deep pockets of high-major teams (or big donors such as mid-major Wichita State, which managed to keep Gregg Marshall). But to keep Moser long term, the Ramblers probably need to come up with a plan that's more thought out than relying on Moser's good nature.
For coaches, high-paying contracts often are not about living luxuriously. It's about being shown respect.
Moser, who will enter his ninth season in 2019-20, has won back-to-back conference titles and has three 20-win seasons in five years.
Despite all the reasons he could feel conflicted, Moser sounds genuinely content _ actually excited _ about remaining at Loyola. Even if the process with St. John's was a "wild ride."
"So many other coaches were telling me I was dumb (to turn down St. John's) with the money and all that," Moser said. "But they don't know our locker room like I do, the culture we created on campus. People say it's going to be a rebuilding year. That just fuels me. When I told my players I was staying, it was, 'Let's go. Lets' prove everyone wrong.' "
Loyola needs the same mindset when it comes to figuring out how to keep Moser long term. Right now, it's lucky.
