Eye On College Basketball Podcast

Episode: Greg McDermott Shares Why He Wanted a Succession Plan in Place at Creighton + How to Replace Ryan Kalkbrenner
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: CBS Sports
Guests: Greg McDermott (Creighton Head Coach)

Main Theme

This episode centers on Creighton head coach Greg McDermott as he discusses the significant transition his basketball program is facing with the departure of star center Ryan Kalkbrenner, and the unique succession plan Creighton has established. McDermott candidly addresses the challenges of replacing an elite player, outlines his coaching strategies moving forward, breaks down his current roster, and shares his rationale for securing a “coach-in-waiting” to preserve Creighton’s culture and continuity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Life Without Ryan Kalkbrenner

• Emotional and Tactical Loss

  • McDermott describes Kalkbrenner’s absence as a major shift, both personally and for the team’s play style.
  • “He was such a positive influence on our program. He brought energy every day and his teammates knew exactly what they were getting from him. Defensively, it was one of one in college basketball last year.” (01:05, McDermott)
  • Replacing Kalkbrenner’s defensive presence is a “challenge”; McDermott acknowledges the team’s defense won’t be the same and that they must now lean on offense. (01:26)

• Strategic Adjustments

  • The team is moving away from drop coverage (racalled a method only made possible by Kalkbrenner’s skills)
  • Plans to utilize a variety of ball screen coverages and focus on offensive prowess.
  • “It would be crazy to think we could be the same defensive team that we were.” (01:56, McDermott)

Style of Play & Roster Depth

• Offensive Identity and Depth Comparison

  • McDermott likens this group to older Creighton teams:
    • Referenced teams led by Markus Zegarowski, Mitch Ballock, and Ty-Shon Alexander—all offensively versatile, deep, and up-tempo. (02:54)
  • Team will shoot “a lot of threes” and “play fast, very up tempo.”
  • “This is the deepest team I’ve ever had. We’ll be able to play 10 or 11 guys without a problem.” (03:18, McDermott)

• Rotation Management

  • He expects to cut the rotation to 9 or 10 by February “if we’re healthy.”
  • Notes challenge of keeping so many deserving players satisfied and hints at wishing he could redshirt someone to relieve pressure. (03:59)

Preseason Scrimmage & Takeaways

• Takeaways from Scrimmage with Iowa State
  • Scrimmage serves as a valuable test given contrasting styles:
    • Iowa State brings physicality, trapping, and fouling; Creighton offers pace and spacing.
  • “It’s…a practice, but you’re playing somebody else. So I think that film takes on a little bit different meaning.” (04:46, McDermott)

Transfer Portal & Recruiting Philosophy

• Why Players Choose Creighton
  • Beyond NIL, McDermott believes consistent relationships and Creighton’s playing style attract transfers.
  • “As long as the money’s close...relationships and style of play still matter. We haven’t lost many people that we didn’t want to lose.” (06:29, McDermott)
  • Emphasizes recruiting skill and building genuine, upfront relationships.

Spotlight on Key Players

• Owen Freeman (Preseason All-Big East First Team)

  • Recently returned to limited practice after dual knee surgeries; uncertain for season opener.
  • “He can score in a lot of ways…great feel around the basket...going to be a great addition.” (07:43, McDermott)

• Josh Dix (Preseason All-Big East Second Team, Transfer from Iowa)

  • Praised for consistency, versatility, and defense on elite opponents.
  • “Model of consistency...he can handle it, he can pass it, he shoots it at a high level.” (08:23, McDermott)

• Nick Graves (Transfer, Point Guard)

  • Tasked with dictating an increased tempo after coming from a slower-paced system.
  • Particularly praised for handling Iowa State’s pressure in the scrimmage.
  • “I was really impressed with how he handled Iowa State's pressure...he handled it like a champ.” (08:49, McDermott)

• Jackson McAndrew (Sophomore Big)

  • Improved strength, athleticism, and interior play; his three-point shooting remains a weapon.
  • “He’s added 15 pounds of muscle...can add to that elite three point shooting skill.” (09:26, McDermott)

Scheduling Philosophy

• Willingness to Challenge the Team
  • Creighton’s schedule includes high-profile non-conference road games against Gonzaga and Nebraska, plus a home-and-home with Kansas State.
  • McDermott values being battle-tested for NCAA tournament seeding and selection.
  • “I think you get credit for challenging your team in November and December and if you have a team you think is good enough, you owe it to them to play a good schedule.” (12:03, McDermott)

Succession Plan at Creighton

• Purpose and Process

  • McDermott wanted to ensure program culture wouldn’t be lost with his eventual departure.
  • Alan Huss, a former assistant and recent successful head coach at High Point, is now designated “coach-in-waiting.”
  • “You see coaches leave...and you see programs get decimated and the entire roster leaves. It's a total culture reset. And I think the culture at Creighton...is something that we just had to build upon. We didn’t have to start over.” (13:08, McDermott)
  • McDermott wants “only three coaches at Creighton in 50 years.” (13:45)

• Personal Plans

  • McDermott subtly suggests retirement could be within the next one to two years, with a touch of humor about more time for golf.
  • “There's some other things I want to do in my life when the time comes, specifically on the golf course.” (14:01, McDermott)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Program Identity Post-Kalkbrenner:

  “It’s a heck of a change. I really miss him in practice. I’m going to really miss big games.” (01:05, McDermott)

• On Roster Depth:

  “This is the deepest team I’ve ever had. We’ll be able to play 10 or 11 guys without a problem.” (03:18, McDermott)

• On Transfer Portal:

  “We haven’t lost many people that we didn’t want to lose...I think that probably speaks to the guys in the portal that this place must be okay.” (06:44, McDermott)

• On Scheduling:

  “I think you get credit for challenging your team in November and December and if you have a team you think is good enough, you owe it to them to play a good schedule.” (12:03, McDermott)

• On Coaching Succession:

  “You see programs get decimated and the entire roster leaves. It's a total culture reset...my hope is that culture stays intact with Coach Huss.” (13:08, McDermott)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:43 – Greg McDermott joins, discussion on missing Kalkbrenner
• 01:56 – Defensive system changes post-Kalkbrenner
• 02:54 – Comparisons to previous Creighton teams and offense style
• 03:18 – Discussion of team depth and rotation plans
• 04:46 – Takeaways from the Iowa State scrimmage
• 06:29 – Transfer portal approach and recruiting philosophy
• 07:43 – Updates and expectations for Owen Freeman
• 08:23 – Breakdown of Josh Dix’s role
• 08:49 – Praise for Nick Graves
• 09:26 – Progress and fit of Jackson McAndrew
• 10:51 – Non-conference scheduling philosophy
• 12:03 – Importance of challenging schedules
• 12:56 – Rationale for the succession plan and future program culture
• 14:01 – McDermott’s thoughts on retirement and personal plans

Tone and Style

The exchange is friendly, direct, and insightful, matching the tone that regular Eye On College Basketball podcast listeners expect—straight talk, lightly peppered with wit and clear appreciation for the nuances of building and sustaining a successful college basketball program.

Summary Prepared For: Listeners who want to understand Creighton’s path post-Kalkbrenner, the intricacies of modern program management, and the future outlook both on the court and within the coaching ranks.