What's Your Post Presser Stance?

[drewm88]

I will admit I was disappointed we didn't get the marquee name. Was willing to give Buzz a chance though, and this press conference made me feel more confident.

[21Jumpstreet]

He definitely started to fire up towards the end.  He was getting more and more comfortable.  We cannot expect the world today, but he did a nice job.

[jaybilaswho?]

I was bummed at first that we didnt get a well known coach, but I am definitly excited now. I feel like the program for the time being is in good hands. I cant wait to see what sort of staff he puts under him and am looking forward to seeing how he puts together our team in the future.

Big things... I see big things for the future.

[CTWarrior]

He is my alma mater's coach and starting at 3 PM EST today I officially liked him the whole time.  Go get 'em, Buzz!

[🏀]

I listened to it on the radio, and he projects a humbleness with passive tenacity. I personally love to hear a coach being humble, sure beats being a cocky, tanned self-gloater.

I personally enjoyed, "Well coach, it's cold up there. Then you're probably not tough enough to play for us."

[86Warrior]

Would love to see him name a good experienced guy as his #1 asst----not sure who that would be but like the thought of it.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

It's still ridiculous. You just watched a guy who can't believe that somebody just handed him a winning lottery ticket.

[StillWarriors]

I wanted so badly to be impressed and psyched after watching the press conference. Instead, it brought me back to how I felt about the program while I was in school during the Dukiet days: Small-time. Between Cottingham and Buzz (can't get used to referring to a grown man as Buzz) it had the feel of a small time school putting on a press conference. I like Buzz's obvious passion, but his numerous apologies for forgetting people etc.. was polite and personable, but also had the feel of a guy in way over his head.

We'll see, but not the impressive start I was hoping for.

[jaybilaswho?]

I wanted so badly to be impressed and psyched after watching the press conference. Instead, it brought me back to how I felt about the program while I was in school during the Dukiet days: Small-time.

This is bull sh*t. If you have been to any of the MU games since we joined the BEast, you would know that we are not a small-time team. Just becuase we have a coach of lesser noteriety than you wanted, does not make us less of a program. We are not a small program, we are not in a small, meaningless conference, (i am fighting the urge to write We are Marquette, to end this sentence). The coach isnt the household name we were looking for, but he is still our coach now. If you cant get on board with that, you are not an MU basketball fan and you should turn in all your blue and gold.

[StillWarriors]

WOW-a little edgy JayBilasWho???

I am, and have been, a huge Marquette fan for the past 20 years. I will still spend far more time than I should following the team through the offseason, next season and into the future. Your response is a little ridiculous. The fact my gut reaction to the press conference as I watched it online was "small-time" doesn't mean the program, conference etc....are small-time. You are making a big leap there. In fact, my negative reaction was probably due to the fact I believed we had made it to the big time competing in a power conference like the BEast. I guess that belief led me to believe we'd end up with someone with a little more of a track record than what we got.

It was obvious that neither Cunningham nor Buzz had done this before. That doesn't mean he won't ultimately be a good coach or that I have to turn in all my Warriors gear; it was just an observation of the press conference and my reaction to it. The Dukiet era was soooo depressing; I don't want to go back down that road. Given the competition in the BEast, it'd be easy to get buried quick if we aren't up to the challenge. Buzz will ultimately be judged on how the team does--end of story.

Lighten up, Jay.

[nyg]

Williams is inheriting a squad of experienced players (4 seniors 4 juniors), all of whom had significant playing time together as a team.  With the assistance of a good coaching staff, the team should be fine for 2008-2009 season. The true barometer will be the 2009-2010 season with the seniors departed, but who will be the incoming freshmen?  This freshman class will determine his and the programs fate.  But again, this was the reason he was hired as the head coach, so we can all monitor his recruiting skills. The benefit of doubt will be in form the first year, but then the true test will commence.

[MUfan2]

I've thought it would be a solid hire the whole time.  And as you can see by my new signature, I'm now even more of a fan.  Congrats Buzz!

[jt92]

He's the coach now.  I support him.  Let's go MU.  

 

[MUWarrior06]

He's a recruiter... a salesman...he's supposed to make you feel all warm inside...


I wasn't sold at first but I have hope. I hope it works out and I think we'll be okay...

I support him

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

WOW-a little edgy JayBilasWho???

I am, and have been, a huge Marquette fan for the past 20 years. I will still spend far more time than I should following the team through the offseason, next season and into the future. Your response is a little ridiculous. The fact my gut reaction to the press conference as I watched it online was "small-time" doesn't mean the program, conference etc....are small-time. You are making a big leap there. In fact, my negative reaction was probably due to the fact I believed we had made it to the big time competing in a power conference like the BEast. I guess that belief led me to believe we'd end up with someone with a little more of a track record than what we got.

It was obvious that neither Cunningham nor Buzz had done this before. That doesn't mean he won't ultimately be a good coach or that I have to turn in all my Warriors gear; it was just an observation of the press conference and my reaction to it. The Dukiet era was soooo depressing; I don't want to go back down that road. Given the competition in the BEast, it'd be easy to get buried quick if we aren't up to the challenge. Buzz will ultimately be judged on how the team does--end of story.

Lighten up, Jay.

It was a small-time press conference and the most small-time hire of any Division 1 school in years. Please...what major conference school hired a guy with as little experience as the guy we got? Our #1 assistant for 9 months was named our head coach. If it'd been last year, would it have been Rabideaux or Sichting? How about Pannagio the year before that?

Doc Rivers, my ass! This was a crappy hire and, instead of creating excitement, has create angst!

[TallTitan34]

I am very sold on Buzz now.  One part that stood out for me was when Emmett Prosser asked a question and Buzz answered it.

Buzz noticed that Prosser didn't feel he got enough out of the answer so Buzz let Prosser expand on the question until Prosser was satisfied with a full answer.

I like his attitude.

Welcome Buzz!

[rocky_warrior]

Buzz noticed that Prosser didn't feel he got enough out of the answer so Buzz let Prosser expand on the question until Prosser was satisfied with a full answer.

Hah - I didn't hear the question, so I didn't know it was Prosser talking.  But I caught the first answer and then the "You don't look satisfied with the answer.  What else do you want to know? Go ahead an ask." (or something to that extent) .  At which point i didn't hear the follow-up, and Buzz basically said. you have to recruit fast people for the big east. 

He is *very* polite, but I don't think he'll let people walk all over him either.

[bs4173]

Agreed, rocky. If nothing else, his personality beats Crean's. At least he seems genuine. I was at the conference and was impressed.

The best part of it was that I walked about 2 blocks with Father Wild (I'm a student, he doesn't know me, it was just coincidence). Anyway, I said "It must have been hard to be caught off-guard by Crean." His response: "Yes, it was shocking and rude. I was very, very upset that Tom did not contact the players and they found out while watching television. Even Tom would admit he dropped the ball on that."

So, in short, my post-presser stance: Father Wild didn't mince words for once, Tom Crean sucks in my view more than ever, and I'm glad Buzz made the comments about how the first thing he did was tell the team and then later that night call the recruits. At least Buzz isn't a d-bag.

[MUPig]

The quote that wins me over - "I don't care about reputation, I care about character".....something we obviously were missing with TC.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Bs - that story about Fr. Wild is great! The truth always bubbles to the surface

[ChicosBailBonds]

Bs - that story about Fr. Wild is great! The truth always bubbles to the surface

My guess is Crean would say the same thing, he definitely blew it in  how it was handled.  And yes, MU was shocked which is sad because you should NEVER be shocked and always have the short list...always.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I believe TC has had several chances to admit that -- both in print articles and on the radio, but has chosen to simply talk about himself.

[77ncaachamps]

Wow. We're all over the place.

I can only imagine what the MU Faithful worldwide is thinking.

[bs4173]

Bs - that story about Fr. Wild is great! The truth always bubbles to the surface

My guess is Crean would say the same thing, he definitely blew it in  how it was handled.  And yes, MU was shocked which is sad because you should NEVER be shocked and always have the short list...always.

I was just very surprised at how candid Fr Wild was with me. Chico's--I thought it was so interesting how he said "Even Tom would admit he dropped the ball," because i really wonder if Crean would admit wrongdoing. He has hardly even acknowledged the MU players in any interviews i've read since his transfer. Anyway, chalk one up for Wild.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

He's had plenty of opportunity to admit it publicly but chooses instead to make it look like we were nothing when he got here and should be thanking him for taking a dump on the people he worked for

[Norm]

Guys, Crean has said numerous times that he wished his leaving Marquette had been handled better, by which I assume he includes having his players find out about it on tv.

As for this press conference, I wish Williams luck, but have to admit I was not overwhelmed with the clips they had online. I guess I expected more energy from a guy who is supposed to be a tireless worker and relentless recruiter. Maybe its just the speaking style he has from growing up in the South, but I found him a little boring to listen to.

In addition, I think he went overboard trying to talk up the players. The half hugs through the players after he was announced almost seemed forced and awkward. If the players loved him so much wouldn't they have seemed more excited? Few smiles in that crowd when he walked through them.

Yes, he wants to protect the players and emphasize that the program is about them. Just seemed to go overboard on it. Is he a social worker or a coach?

I wish Buzz the best and hope he gets some media training before the season starts.

[MR.HAYWARD]

Chicos you are dead wrong!! For a guy who claims to know everyone you obviously do not know Crean.  Crean has acknowledged it was unfortunate, but he would never admit anything more than that.  The guy is a complete A-hole, that treated everyone like absolute crap.  Big donor to small time employee both he and his wife were complete horses asses all the time.  Do you really think it is a coincidence that we sold out the post season banquet now that that jack ass is gone?  Crean did a nice job at MU, no doubt, but you do not have to be a complete ass to accomplish difficult endeavors.  He will get his come uppance.  

[only a warrior]

Just waiting for the Chicos "just talking to Buzz" post....   

Good luck Brent, you are going to need it.  He doesn't have to impress me - I just hope he does impress a solid group of players to come here over the years before we have to pull the plug on this experiment.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Chicos you are dead wrong!! For a guy who claims to know everyone you obviously do not know Crean.  Crean has acknowledged it was unfortunate, but he would never admit anything more than that.  The guy is a complete A-hole, that treated everyone like absolute crap.  Big donor to small time employee both he and his wife were complete horses asses all the time.  Do you really think it is a coincidence that we sold out the post season banquet now that that jack ass is gone?  Crean did a nice job at MU, no doubt, but you do not have to be a complete ass to accomplish difficult endeavors.  He will get his come uppance.  

I think it's great that the banquet sold out, that is terrific.  I didn't know Joanie was a horses' ass, she never came across that way to me....let alone "all the time to everyone".  Your hyperbole is noted.  And yes as an employee I'm well aware of how he could be....so could Mike....so could Bobby....so could Matt....so could Roy for that matter.  Some more than others.

I think the banquet sold out because of MU fans are terrific and felt these poor players were being put into a position they shouldn't have been put into, and I applaud gratefully to MU fans for doing this.  Doesn't surprise me at all.  MU fans were going to step up and be there to support that team and why not.  I suspect they will do that again next year at the turnstyle as well, or at least I hope they do.  It's the lifeblood of the program and a slide would be hurtful in many ways.

As for him never admitting it, again a lot of hyperbole.  Never is a long time.  I suspect that he feels he did what was right for him from a career standpoint, but he wishes he did it a bit differently in hindsight.  He blew that one and I'd be quite surprised if he doesn't know it.


Only-A-Warrior...sorry, "no just talking to Buzz" posts.  Don't know him, never met him....I enjoyed the press conference today.  Made me feel a little better, but not a ton.  I believe MU could have gotten Buzz next week, let alone today and should have tried a bit harder with a few more candidates.  But that process is over, we have who we have and like many others, wish him nothing but the best.

[Daniel]

No one is going to work harder than Buzz towards Marquette's success - I feel he will surprise us on the positive side.  You really can't help but to like the guy personally - now let's get going fast and get things done.

[MR.HAYWARD]

Crean knowing it and admitting it are obviously ywo different things, the difference between class and ass are knowing what's right and doing whats right.  You may be correct that people are attending the banquet be cause they feel sorry for the players, I know many who bought tickets because Creans tired insincere pompus ass wont be there.  And these were huge Mu supporters when he first started were treted like crap by him yet continued their support because it was Marqette yet hated the coach.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Crean knowing it and admitting it are obviously ywo different things, the difference between class and ass are knowing what's right and doing whats right.  You may be correct that people are attending the banquet be cause they feel sorry for the players, I know many who bought tickets because Creans tired insincere pompus ass wont be there.  And these were huge Mu supporters when he first started were treted like crap by him yet continued their support because it was Marqette yet hated the coach.

Well, from all reports, Williams is a huge step up in the class department and likable by many.  Crean is gone....like many marriages people grate on others.  O'Neill couldn't wait to get out of MU fast enough because of the alums, Deane didn't care for many of them either (though many he did care for)....the Buzz era has begun.  Sorry Mrs. Crean treated you poorly every day, surprising to hear.