An Era Ends in Omaha: Greg McDermott to Retire, Alan Huss to Take Over Creighton Basketball

The architect of Creighton basketball’s golden age is stepping down. According to a report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Greg McDermott will retire as head coach following the conclusion of the Bluejays’ season in the College Basketball Crown tournament this April. The announcement marks the end of a transformative 16-year tenure that saw the program ascend from a mid-major darling to a perennial national contender. In a move signaling a seamless transition, the university will not conduct a national search, instead elevating associate head coach Alan Huss, the designated head coach in waiting, to the top job.

The McDermott Legacy: From Omaha to the Elite Eight

When Greg McDermott arrived in Omaha in 2010, he inherited a solid program from Dana Altman. What he built, however, was a powerhouse. Over 16 seasons, McDermott compiled a 365-188 record at Creighton, a staggering .660 winning percentage. His strategic offensive mind, characterized by spacing, three-point shooting, and player development, became synonymous with Bluejays basketball. The numbers only tell part of the story:

• Elite Eight Appearance (2023): The crown jewel of his tenure, leading a team featuring All-American Ryan Kalkbrenner to within one game of the Final Four.
• 15 NCAA Tournament Appearances: Across his 26-year head coaching career at five schools, McDermott was a model of consistency, reaching the Big Dance 15 times.
• Conference Dominance: He secured two regular-season championships and two conference tournament titles, navigating the program’s successful transition from the Missouri Valley to the powerhouse Big East.
• 645 Career Wins: His overall record of 645-383 cements his place among the most successful coaches of his generation.

While this final season—a 15-17 campaign that ended without an NCAA Tournament bid—was a disappointment, it does little to dim the brilliance of his run. McDermott didn’t just win games; he elevated Creighton’s national profile, filled the CHI Health Center, and created moments that will live forever in the hearts of the fanbase.

The Successor: Why Alan Huss is the Right Man for the Job

Creighton’s decision to name Alan Huss as the next head coach is a masterclass in succession planning. This isn’t merely a promotion from within; it’s the culmination of a carefully orchestrated plan to preserve the program’s culture and momentum. Huss’s connection to Creighton is deep and multifaceted:

• Creighton Legacy Player: Huss wore the Bluejays uniform from 1997-2001, giving him an innate understanding of the program’s identity and what it means to the community.
• Proven Head Coaching Pedigree: His two-year stint at High Point was spectacular. Huss posted a 56-15 record, won two Big South regular-season titles, and led the Panthers to the 2025 NCAA Tournament. This experience is invaluable, proving he can build and lead his own program at a high level.
• Architect of Development: During his first assistant coaching stint under McDermott (2017-2023), Huss was instrumental in recruiting and developing the core—including Kalkbrenner and Trey Alexander—that propelled the 2023 Elite Eight run.
• Seamless Cultural Fit: Having returned as associate head coach in 2026 with the “head coach in waiting” title, Huss has been re-immersed in the program for two seasons, ensuring philosophical continuity in recruiting, style of play, and player relations.

This transition mirrors the stability seen at programs like North Carolina (Hubert Davis) and Gonzaga (Mark Few), where a deep institutional knowledge is prized. Huss represents both the cherished past and the ambitious future of Creighton basketball.

Expert Analysis: Navigating the Post-McDermott Transition

From a strategic standpoint, this transition is as smooth as any in recent college basketball memory. The greatest risk for a program after a legendary coach departs is a mass exodus of players and recruits, coupled with an identity crisis. By naming Huss years in advance and having him back on staff, Creighton has mitigated that risk significantly.

Recruiting stability is the immediate benefit. Current commits and players in the transfer portal view the program with certainty, knowing the system and culture they bought into will remain. Furthermore, Huss’s recent success at High Point and his reputation as a dynamic recruiter in the Midwest and transfer portal will be immediate assets.

The challenge for Huss will be external expectations. He is not taking over a rebuild; he is stepping into the cockpit of a jet already at cruising altitude. The pressure to maintain Big East contention and make deep NCAA Tournament runs begins immediately. His head coaching experience, though at a different level, provides a crucial foundation for handling that pressure. The key will be evolving McDermott’s offensive system without abandoning its core principles, and establishing his own defensive identity to compete in the physical Big East.

Predictions for the Huss Era and the Future of Creighton Basketball

Looking ahead, the forecast for Creighton basketball under Alan Huss is overwhelmingly sunny. The program’s infrastructure—facilities, fan support, conference affiliation—is elite. Huss inherits this foundation and adds his own proven blueprint for success.

We can anticipate several hallmarks of the early Huss era:

• Portal Proficiency: Huss will aggressively utilize the transfer portal to complement a strong core of high-school recruits, a necessity in the modern game.
• Defensive Emphasis: Expect a renewed focus on defensive versatility and toughness, building on the shot-blocking presence of players like Kalkbrenner but adding more perimeter pressure.
• Sustained Excellence: The goal will not be to “reload” but to continue competing for Big East championships. A return to the NCAA Tournament in Huss’s first season should be the baseline expectation.

The greatest testament to Greg McDermott’s legacy may not be the banners in the rafters, but the health and direction of the program he leaves behind. He exits with Creighton basketball positioned not as a Cinderella, but as a respected national brand. In Alan Huss, the university has chosen a leader who embodies its past, excels in the present, and is uniquely equipped to navigate its future.

Conclusion: A Graceful Exit and a New Dawn

Greg McDermott’s retirement marks the end of a defining chapter for Creighton University. He was the steady hand and brilliant mind that guided the program into a new conference and onto college basketball’s biggest stages. His retirement, timed to allow a graceful passing of the torch, is a final act of service to the institution he helped elevate.

As the curtain falls on the McDermott era, the spotlight turns to Alan Huss. He carries the weight of expectation but does so with the full confidence of a community that sees one of its own at the helm. The transition from McDermott to Huss is not a revolution, but an evolution—a carefully planned next step for a program with its sights set firmly on the ultimate prize. The foundation is rock solid. The future, under a new but familiar leader, is bright in Omaha.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.