Allen Ward Quotations

Throughout the process, I continued to be impressed with the fact that he was winning at programs with far less resources and tradition than what exists at Murray State.

Obviously, coach Willard has a great pedigree. He's done a very nice job. He's been involved with some different head coaching opportunities. He's someone I will definitely, definitely look at. But he's just one of several that I look forward to researching and visiting with.

I feel like you have to be committed by doing it right in terms of female sports. Some people look at it like an obligation, but I look at it as doing something that's right.

We've been very fortunate here, we've hired some great coaches that have moved on and done great things. That's what I want to continue doing. I knew there was a chance when I took the job here a year ago that if we continued winning I may lose a great coach. That speaks very highly of our program.

We feel like he's a great choice to be our next head coach.

It is Billy. We've met. We had a consensus. We've offered it to Billy. He's accepted, and we're going to name him as the coach.

We know the cabin, we know the people, we know the training and we know the job.

Especially when we really got hot at the end of season and took off in the conference tournament. He's won a lot of basketball games for us and done nothing but great things for our program.

It's a great fit for him. We wish him nothing but the best.

It's a great fit because Mick's a great coach. He gets that opportunity because of what he's done here. The last three years have very successful for our program. I have no doubt that Mick Cronin will be successful at the University of Cincinnati.

I told (Mississippi athletic director Pete Boone and Thomas) once our season was over, they could talk to (Cronin).

I'm going to do my best to help keep him around. But I'm sure there will be some people interested in him.