Will Travis Steele Sign an Extension?
More importantly, regarding Steele’s future as a coach, the 44-year-old is expected to be one of the hottest coaching names this summer. Steele had a decent four-year run with Xavier, posting a winning record in each season and winning 19 contests three times. He was 70-50 overall with the Muskateers (2018-22). But he did lead them to two NIT berths, going 6-1 in the event, including a win in the 2022 Tournament.
Steele reportedly has an extension on the table from Miami that would keep him as the RedHawks coach through the 2033-34 season, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the MAC, per Bradley Truax of ON3.
“They gave me a contract extension. I have not signed it yet. Honestly, I haven’t looked at it,” Steele told reporters after Friday’s 91-77 win over Bowling Green. “Just because we’ve been so busy going game to game, but I do think it shows the commitment level that Miami (OH) has.”
“I’m very happy here. And I think some people will read into things differently, right?” Steele continued. They’re gonna say, ‘Oh, well, he hasn’t signed. Why don’t you sign it already? We’ve been pretty busy. We’re trying to keep this thing going. And I made that promise to our guys that I wasn’t gonna get distracted. I was gonna keep the main thing, the main thing.”
What Jobs Are Currently Open And Could Be A Fit For Steele?
If Steele doesn’t sign the extension, he is expected to draw plenty of interest this summer. But it is hard to tell by whom at this point, as it is still very early. Currently, Kansas State is probably the main job that would interest Steele, as it stands. Steele is likely a candidate and would be a good fit.
UC San Diego, Tarleton State, Air Force, Cal State Bakersfield, and North Florida also have potential openings. San Diego fired Steve Lavin recently, while Air Force parted ways with Joe Scott on Friday. Meanwhile, Billie Gillespie is not expected to return to Tarleton State.
Air Force may be attractive to Steele since they play in the Mountain West, but the RedHawks extension is probably more than he will ever earn at Air Force. Air Force has just three wins this year and has not posted a winning record since 2013-14, when the Falcons won 18 games. However, several other big-time jobs could be open with several coaches on the hot seat; there were over 60 coaching changes last season.
