SLU's problem has always been an administrative one. SLU was part of the old old valley, Cincinnati, Bradley, Wichita State, etc, good conference. The 10,000 pound elephant in the room was facilities, they had none. Games were played at depression built Kiel and the neighborhood was getting tackier by the minute.
I had a classmate that was the HC there decades ago. My wife and I have a bigger travel budget than he did. The administration never could bring themselves to make the necessary investment in facilities to be a player (Ron Guenther would have fit right in).
Building the Chaifetz center solved the first problem. Hiring Majerus and Spoon gave them credability. High school basketball in St Louis and the county 50 years ago was laughable, Illinois teams would blow out Missouri,s very best. Now St Louis talent is top shelf. Ford will do well there, perfect spot for him.