Featured Testimonial About Creighton University
“We are going to live up to that standard. I make that promise to everyone here today.”
The Alan Huss era is here.
The former Bluejay player and associate coach was introduced on Wednesday, March 25, as Creighton’s new head coach for men’s basketball. He replaces Greg McDermott, the all-time winningest coach who announced his retirement two days prior.
Both Creighton President the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson and McCormick Endowed Athletic Director Marcus Blossom welcomed Huss before he stepped to the microphone to address the players, coaches, administrators, donors and fans in attendance inside the McDermott Center.
Five highlights from Huss’ introductory press conference:
1. Culture is THE key.
“It’s the most overused word,” Huss admitted. Culture. But it’s ultimately what he kept coming back to when he thought about the reasons why Creighton has enjoyed so much success under its previous two coaches, Dana Altman and Greg McDermott.
Standing just a few feet under the words “culture wins” (etched in massive letters on a wall inside the practice facility), Huss said special people have always made the difference for the Jays.
“Culture to me is the human beings that we have inside this program now."
Huss mentioned his predecessor, the legendary head coach who puts others first (McDermott sat among donors, administrators, student-athletes and fans Wednesday, watching the press conference from the sixth row). He talked about the current student-athletes who stayed together this season through tough losses and adversity. And the support staff members who go out of their way to positively impact people’s lives.
“Culture is what’s won,” Huss said. “Culture is going to continue to be what wins for us at Creighton. … We’re going to work our tails off, but we’re not going to reinvent the wheel there.”
2. He’s a Bluejay, through and through.
No tutorials about Creighton tradition, history or values are needed. Huss, BSBA’02, is a proud alumnus who understands the things that make Creighton special. And if he forgets? Well, he smiled and said his wife, Katie Huss, will be there to set him straight. They met on campus. Katie, BS’02, wearing an “I love CU” shirt Wednesday, is a third-generation Bluejay, Alan said.
It’s why this moment means so much to him. Huss said Wednesday that he didn’t quite have the words to describe his journey — how a former freshman-level high school basketball coach could work his way through the industry and wind up taking over at his alma mater. But his passion for Creighton and his gratitude for the relationships he formed here certainly make this opportunity more meaningful.
"How fortunate, how blessed (I am) — I can't even come up with words," Huss said. "I would've never imagined this. I didn't set out for this. It's truly amazing."
3. He can build a program.
During two years as High Point’s head coach, Huss won back-to-back conference coach of the year awards, set a program record for wins and led the Panthers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. How’d he do it? By borrowing the Creighton blueprint.
“I went down to High Point, North Carolina, and tried to replicate every facet of this program that we could possibly copy,” he said. “We did that because it's been successful. We did that because we feel like this is the winning formula and we're going to stay committed to those same processes.”
4. Huss won’t get out-worked, by anyone.
For a couple years during Huss' first stint as a Bluejay assistant coach, Blossom said his office was right across the hall from Huss’ office. What did Blossom observe? One of the hardest-working people he’s ever seen.
“He will invest everything he has into this program,” Blossom said.
Huss admitted that he’s already started scheming up ways to improve the Jays (with the help of McDermott, of course). He still plans to build a team next year that plays an up-tempo offense and shoots a lot of 3s. He hopes to build a squad that brings more disruption defensively. He wants the team to get back to embracing the joy of the game.
Ultimately, Huss’ goal is to win. Just like McDermott and Altman before him.
“We are going to live up to that standard,” Huss said. “I make that promise to everyone here today.”
5. You can joke about his subpar playing career
Huss did it himself Wednesday. A couple of times. He was a member of three NCAA Tournament teams during his time as a Bluejay player from 1997 to 2001.
But was he particularly talented? Huss would give this response: “Coach Altman, thankfully he taught me early on that I wasn’t very good at basketball and I needed to figure something else out.”
Huss actually opened his press conference by sharing an amusing quote from the late Red McManus, a former Creighton coach who attended games and practices during Huss’ playing days. McManus asked then-athletic director Bruce Rasmussen if Huss was a senior. Rasmussen confirmed that Huss had entered his senior season. McManus replied, “I just wanted to make sure I never have to watch him play again after this year.”
Huss, a 6-foot-9 center, was an All-Kansas City metro pick out of North Kansas City High School. He talked Wednesday about battling through serious illness and injuries during his time at Creighton — he ended up appearing in 94 career games. The White and Blue Review put together a Huss highlight reel last year.
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Read more about the reasons why Huss decided one year ago to return to Creighton.
Check out our tribute to the best on-court moments of McDermott's historic Creighton career. Coach Mac's Top 25 most memorable wins.
