Creighton's Greg McDermott Retires, Alan Huss Named Successor

Creighton is getting a new head coach following Greg McDermott’s retirement. He announced a few weeks ago that this season would be his last, and his career ended over the weekend with a loss in the College Basketball Crown.

However, Creighton won’t be without a head coach for long, as Alan Huss, a former player and alum of the university, was chosen to succeed McDermott.

Creighton’s Greg McDermott Retires, Alan Huss Named Successor

McDermott, the 16th and winningest head coach of the Creighton Bluejays, coached his last game Saturday night in a losing effort against West Virginia. The coach, beloved by fans, led the Jays to ten NCAA tournament appearances and two regular season conference wins.

Alan Huss, his successor, previously won Big South Coach of the Year twice at High Point University. This season, he took on the role of associate head coach under McDermott after his appointment as head coach-in-waiting.

McDermott’s Legacy

Greg McDermott’s head coaching career began at his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa. He led UNI for five seasons and Iowa State for four before making a home at Creighton in 2010. During his time with the Bluejays, he cemented himself in the program’s history books. Throughout his 16 years as head coach, he led the Jays to an impressive .659 winning percentage.

Individually, McDermott was named the Big East Coach of the Year in the 2019-20 season. That season saw the Jays ranked as the seventh-best team in the country; however, they were unable to play in the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic. McDermott has also served as the dean of the Big East coaches, being the longest-tenured coach in the conference up until his retirement.

McDermott, affectionately known as Coach Mac in Omaha, will leave a significant legacy for Huss to uphold.

About Coach Huss

Alan Huss, who will soon take the reins for the Jays, has spent a year shadowing McDermott. This past season will hopefully allow the transition to run as smoothly as possible.

In Huss’ two years as a head coach before getting the Creighton job, he amassed a stellar reputation at High Point University, winning consecutive regular-season conference championships. In his last year with the program, he led the Panthers to the NCAA Tournament.

Huss returns to Creighton having graduated from there in 2002. He appeared in 94 games (38 starts) for the Jays over the course of a four-year career.

The 16-18 Jays are coming off a lackluster season, ranking fifth in the Big East and falling to Seton Hall in the conference tournament quarterfinals. Huss will look to turn things around in his first year at the helm.