Under the direction of head coach Greg McDermott, Creighton basketball is experiencing a remarkable era, the most successful in the program’s history. This period has included a transition to the new Big East Conference, with McDermott playing a pivotal role in this shift, leading the Blue Jays to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and their best finish to date—an Elite Eight run. Nevertheless, retirement is on his mind.
At 60 years old, McDermott’s plans for retirement have surfaced in conversations. In anticipation of this change, Creighton and McDermott brought Alan Huss back to the Blue Jays from High Point, designating him as the “coach in waiting.” Huss recently informed Jon Rothstein that he intends to continue in his coaching role at Creighton for another two to three years before taking over the program.
Rothstein confirmed on Monday, “Greg McDermott tells me that he plans to coach at Creighton for 2-3 more years before retiring and handing it off to Alan Huss.”
Alan Huss has been an integral part of Creighton basketball. He played for the Blue Jays from 1997 to 2001 and served as McDermott’s top assistant from 2017 to 2023 before stepping into a head coaching role at High Point University. During his two seasons there, he led the team to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2025 after clinching the Big South tournament title.
Speculation regarding McDermott’s retirement has been prevalent in recent seasons. This past offseason, those discussions materialized when Creighton hired Huss back as the primary assistant, priming him to take over when McDermott decides to step down.
John Fanta, a prominent voice in college basketball media, was the first to report on the situation unfolding in Omaha.
“The transition plan at Creighton is in effect. Alan Huss is leaving High Point to head back to the Blue Jays and be the head coach-in-waiting whenever Greg McDermott retires,” stated college basketball reporter John Fanta. “Greg McDermott is an outstanding coach and an even better human. He’s one of the most beloved figures in college basketball. What he’s created at Creighton, moving the program to the Big East and establishing it as a perennial contender, is truly remarkable. This transition plan with Huss is well-conceived, in my opinion.”
Despite discussions of retirement, McDermott shows no signs of winding down. Creighton’s recent recruitment efforts, especially through the transfer portal, indicate his desire to conclude his career with a flourish, evidencing his successful recruiting endeavors.
Image Source: Greg McDermott @ Instagram
