Creighton Athletics has added a former assistant basketball coach to rejoin Greg McDermott’s staff as the head coach-in-waiting, the university confirmed Thursday.High Point head coach Alan Huss will join the Jays as associate head coach starting Friday.The university said Creighton Athletic Director Marcus Blossom worked with Creighton President Daniel Hendrickson to develop a national pool of candidates with contribution from McDermott.McDermott has compiled a 630-366 career record, including a 350-171 mark at Creighton. In 2024, he passed Dana Altman for the most coaching wins in program history.CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander reported that Huss, McDermott, Blossom and Hendrickson were in “communication on the succession plan for weeks.””Coach McDermott’s legacy extends far beyond his record as the most successful coach in Bluejay history. He’s also a mentor, developing coaches like Alan Huss, who have gone on to become successful head coaches and impactful leaders of student-athletes,” Blossom said in a statement. “Coach Huss embodies everything Creighton stands for, as a person and coach, and we are excited to welcome him back. When the time comes for Greg to conclude his distinguished career at Creighton, I have complete confidence that Coach Huss will build upon our success, upholding the values and culture that Coach McDermott has so carefully cultivated.”The 60-year-old McDermott agreed to a contract extension with Creighton in 2024. The terms of the new contract were not released.The university said “when the time is right, McDermott will assist in the transition and support the program’s future success.””McDermott, 60, hasn’t put an exact timeline on his retirement, but sources said that it’ll likely be in the next two seasons,” Goodman reported on social media.McDermott has led the Jays to 10 NCAA tournament appearances in 15 seasons, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2023.”I am excited to welcome Alan back to our program, not only as a valued member of our coaching staff but as the future head coach of Creighton men’s basketball,” McDermott said in a statement. “I have known Alan for nearly 20 years and can attest that his dedication and vision perfectly align with our commitment to a winning culture. When the time is right, he will be the ideal coach to keep Creighton men’s basketball among the nation’s best. A big thank you to Fr. Hendrickson and Marcus for their teamwork and for bringing Alan on board.”Huss, a Creighton alum, has a 56-15 record with one NCAA tournament appearance in two seasons at High Point. The 46-year-old also was an assistant for the Jays with McDermott from 2017 to 2023.”Returning to Creighton, my alma mater, to work alongside Coach McDermott and contribute to the future of this program is an extraordinary opportunity and, honestly, my dream job,” Huss said in a statement. “The chance to build upon the foundation of Bluejay basketball while preparing to lead this program is incredibly special. I am extremely grateful to Fr. Hendrickson, Marcus Blossom, and Coach McDermott for their faith in me. Our family is absolutely thrilled to rejoin the Bluejay community.”He also played for the Bluejays under Altman from 1997 to 2001.”We have all witnessed the remarkable achievements of our Bluejays—in the BIG EAST, the NCAA Tournament, and within our community,” Hendrickson said in a statement. “Today marks an exciting step as we build upon that trajectory of excellence. I am deeply appreciative to Marcus Blossom, for his hard work and collaboration in facilitating this move, which unites our all-time winningest coach, Greg McDermott, with the exceptional talent of Alan Huss—a former Bluejay student-athlete and coach—to ensure Creighton basketball remains a national powerhouse in this evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.”NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Creighton Athletics has added a former assistant basketball coach to rejoin Greg McDermott’s staff as the head coach-in-waiting, the university confirmed Thursday.
High Point head coach Alan Huss will join the Jays as associate head coach starting Friday.
The university said Creighton Athletic Director Marcus Blossom worked with Creighton President Daniel Hendrickson to develop a national pool of candidates with contribution from McDermott.
McDermott has compiled a 630-366 career record, including a 350-171 mark at Creighton. In 2024, he passed Dana Altman for the most coaching wins in program history.
CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander reported that Huss, McDermott, Blossom and Hendrickson were in “communication on the succession plan for weeks.”
“Coach McDermott’s legacy extends far beyond his record as the most successful coach in Bluejay history. He’s also a mentor, developing coaches like Alan Huss, who have gone on to become successful head coaches and impactful leaders of student-athletes,” Blossom said in a statement. “Coach Huss embodies everything Creighton stands for, as a person and coach, and we are excited to welcome him back. When the time comes for Greg to conclude his distinguished career at Creighton, I have complete confidence that Coach Huss will build upon our success, upholding the values and culture that Coach McDermott has so carefully cultivated.”
The 60-year-old McDermott agreed to a contract extension with Creighton in 2024. The terms of the new contract were not released.
The university said “when the time is right, McDermott will assist in the transition and support the program’s future success.”
“McDermott, 60, hasn’t put an exact timeline on his retirement, but sources said that it’ll likely be in the next two seasons,” Goodman reported on social media.
McDermott has led the Jays to 10 NCAA tournament appearances in 15 seasons, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2023.
“I am excited to welcome Alan back to our program, not only as a valued member of our coaching staff but as the future head coach of Creighton men’s basketball,” McDermott said in a statement. “I have known Alan for nearly 20 years and can attest that his dedication and vision perfectly align with our commitment to a winning culture. When the time is right, he will be the ideal coach to keep Creighton men’s basketball among the nation’s best. A big thank you to Fr. Hendrickson and Marcus for their teamwork and for bringing Alan on board.”
Huss, a Creighton alum, has a 56-15 record with one NCAA tournament appearance in two seasons at High Point. The 46-year-old also was an assistant for the Jays with McDermott from 2017 to 2023.
“Returning to Creighton, my alma mater, to work alongside Coach McDermott and contribute to the future of this program is an extraordinary opportunity and, honestly, my dream job,” Huss said in a statement. “The chance to build upon the foundation of Bluejay basketball while preparing to lead this program is incredibly special. I am extremely grateful to Fr. Hendrickson, Marcus Blossom, and Coach McDermott for their faith in me. Our family is absolutely thrilled to rejoin the Bluejay community.”
He also played for the Bluejays under Altman from 1997 to 2001.
“We have all witnessed the remarkable achievements of our Bluejays—in the BIG EAST, the NCAA Tournament, and within our community,” Hendrickson said in a statement. “Today marks an exciting step as we build upon that trajectory of excellence. I am deeply appreciative to Marcus Blossom, for his hard work and collaboration in facilitating this move, which unites our all-time winningest coach, Greg McDermott, with the exceptional talent of Alan Huss—a former Bluejay student-athlete and coach—to ensure Creighton basketball remains a national powerhouse in this evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.”
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