In that postgame radio interview?
no
no. he owned up to it right away and mac thinks it's no big deal. no.
I'd say it was the first crack in his armor, but overall it shows he's human. I feel bad for Mac; it seemed like a perfectly innocent question.
I would answer this with - maybe a little.
That isn't to say this is a huge deal, but it is hard to say that this doesn't at least say a little about who he is.
Yes. His true character was revealed in the later of the two interviews when he said he did not handle the question well the first time. A lot of people wouldn't admit the mistake.
I think Buzz was just saying what we all have been thinking. Many have said something close to what he has said. Especially since Buzz said in the press conference that it has been something that has been bugging him for awhile. Like most of us, if something is bugging us, and we hear anything near the subject it could set us off. And he ard something about the focus and the hype of our team, and went on saying that people in the media are overlooking what the team has done, and just look at the schedule and box score, not how we have one. I fel if the "experts" have seen how we won rather than maybe just highlights or box scores, they would be saying something else. I think Buzz really cares about those guys and makes sure that they get the credit they deserve. I imagine the next post game Buzz will apologize to everyone like someone has said, probably a little too much. Based on Rosiak's blog he acknowledged his mistake and try to make it right.
There have been a number of .. quirks .. that Buzz has displayed in his past, both at NO and MU. This is hardly the first moment where Buzz's public behavior has raised some eyebrows.
I am hopeful that someone at MU .. whether that's someone in the AD hierarchy, or Coach Layer, or his wife, or one of those coaches he's sent 158 letters and 98 postcards to .. will take him aside and point this stuff out.
In the end, he's got to get control of 100% of that part of the job .. he's probably at 98% .. it's that 2% that gets you in trouble. -- And times are really, really good right now. They won't always be that way.
The interview is "what happens" when Buzz is "too honest" for his own good.
Disagree. What he said didn't come from an over-abundance of honesty. That wouldn't have made the kind of waves this has.
Of course, he actually didn't apologize to Mac, just said he didn't handle the question well.
What gets me though is why this is even a source of a problem for Buzz. Who cares what others think when you have won 11 games in a row, are 8-0 in conference and #8 in the country. How is he going to react to a losing streak?
Lighten up Francis.
No.
It showed exactly how much he respects this team and their work ethic; I didn't think it was a big deal and his post game interview explanation really enlightened me to how much he cares for this team and the lengths he would go to protect them.
Don't know if it has anything to do with character, but Buzz's defensiveness reveals something that was probably bothering him for a long time. He needs to loosen his collar and enjoy the ride. If he's worried about being disrespected when his team is playing great, what is he going to do next year when his inexperienced team struggles?
If TC had reacted in a similar way during an Indiana postgame interview, the same folks who are defending Buzz right now would be jumping down Crean's throat. That's a fact.
Look, an unwarranted postgame blowup doesn't make someone a bad person. But it does cause me to start wondering about this guy's mental toughness and his emotional stability. Not good traits to be displaying in the midst of a fantastic winning streak.
I am a big Buzz fan. I think he is doing a great job and I hope he stays at MU for a long time. That being said, I think this incident reveals another facet of his personality. I am not a psychologist, only a keen observer and I would say that he is obsessive-compulsive with a tendency to wear his emotions on his sleeves.
Regarding his obsessive compulsiveness he has mentioned several times about his obsessiveness regarding clothing and numbers (e.g., how many days he is on the job). I think the attention to detail and organizational skills that comes along with this trait helps him in coaching and recruiting. Anyone who can write hundreds of letters every week for years on end has to be very organized which has helped him succeed.
I am not sure it is related to his obsessiveness but Buzz is known for getting choked up and emotional (to the point of crying) in various public forums. I seem to recall that after his first victory (I think it was an exhibition game) he got a little choked up when he was interviewed after the game. Now we have seen another side of his personality where he lashed out in a rather negative way for no apparent reason at an unsuspecting target. If this had been after a loss or a truly stupid question, then I would be tend to just say it was the stress of the moment. However, I think the nature of his blow up reveals something else is brewing there beneath the surface.
That being said, I hope Buzz learns from the incident and becomes better as a result. I do hope the added pressure of being in the national limelight will not lead to further incidents. I hope he and his supporting cast (other coaches, the administration, his family, etc.) help him channel his amazing traits in positive directions. Most of all, I hope such incidents do not effect recruiting. The best would be if this all blows over and Buzz figures out how to deal with his issues and it never sees the light of day again.
downtown85 outstanding observations.
Can any of us understand the self-imposed pressure Buzz has? This is a time where he needs friends and family to talk with him. He is a human pessure cooker and he needs some help channeling things. Who wouldn't. He has one of the hottest teams in America and lets be frank no one expected this level of achievement. He is living a dream he's worked 20 years to achieve.
The good news is this is nothing like the BS that Bobby Knight of Huggy Bear pulled. We're talking about a short response to a questions during a post game interview. Heck McGuire blew off a higher level of steam.
I think Coach Layer is in a perfect position to help Buzz deal with the building media circus.
Tulsa the human pressure cooker thing that is right on. I would tend to think that is not good for your health in the long run. He hopefully will learn to control it a little or will he burn out?
"Rookie" coach, incredibly successful start, lots of media pressure - literally, a whole new "ball game" experience Could happen to any of us in the same situation, and he'll learn from it (Coach Layer will help). Next year when we're at 19 and 2, Buzz'll will be much calmer, no?
Great points all throughout.
If you look at his pattern of "awkward moments", it always seems to be right after the game. While it shows Buzz's character that he wants his players front and center all the time, the fact is, he IS the story. The press wants to hear from the most successful and highly ranked first year coach...he is the news. Annoyance or awkward wording is just a reflection of not decompressing and being new to the pressure cooker--especially for a guy who is admittedly emotional. It was tough watching his presser after the ND game...he looked like he just went through a 15 round heavyweight fight. Broeker and crew need to get him a pr coach...and maybe a hobby. We don't want him to go Ricky Byrdsong on us (may he RIP).
Go Buzz! The watering holes were on fire after the game. Buzz's attention to detail is pushing these guys to new levels...the Fan 4+ just keep coming at their opponenets. It must be brutal to have to prepare for MU if you are an opposing coach. Keep the big picture in perspective.
Buzz is in a huge pressure cooker for the first time in his life. He goofed. If past is predictor of future, he will apologize and learn from it. He is a young man by head coaching standards with a top 10 team that is 8-0 in the deepest conference in America. He has beat two really good programs this week that are a combined 6-12 in conference. He wants to make this about his players while simultaneously keeping them focused on the next game. He has ever mounting outside demands on his OCD schedule due to his success. Acknowledging and learning from a mistake is the sign of maturity and character. Give the guy a chance.
I agree with Dry White Toast 100%
His true character was revealed when he apologized during the press conference. Not many Coaches in D1 would ever apologize for something they said.
Anybody know where I can find the audio of his comments? I didn't see it on the Milwaukee ESPN site.
www.crackedsidewalks.com
Quote from: warrior55 on February 01, 2009, 11:27:36 AM
www.crackedsidewalks.com
Thanks Warrior05. I read the transcript and I think it's a non-event. I personally feel Mac is ... edit.
Edit: Only Tom Crean can be called that!
Quote from: Tribby on February 01, 2009, 08:23:34 AM
Look, an unwarranted postgame blowup doesn't make someone a bad person. But it does cause me to start wondering about this guy's mental toughness and his emotional stability. Not good traits to be displaying in the midst of a fantastic winning streak.
Bobby Knight had post game melt downs two to four times a season. He "managed" to do ok.
Quote from: lurch91 on February 01, 2009, 12:08:06 PM
Bobby Knight had post game melt downs two to four times a season. He "managed" to do ok.
If I'm reading this right you are comparing his character to that of Bobby Knight's. That certainly is NOT a compliment. Sure the guy won a lot of games, but I would never consider him a high character guy. I can't wait for people to come back with the Bobby Knight did things the right way, blah, blah, blah. End the day, he was an a-hole.
Buzz is not one, he had a bad moment that will quickly be forgotten. Comparing him to Knight is an insult. Winning basketball games doesn't give you the right to be a prick.
Having read the transcript, it seems to me that Buzz was defending his players , albeit in an over-the-top manner that made Mac an undeserved target. Mac's question - implies that as the team gets more attention, their focus would (could) waiver and they'd fall prey to distractions. Buzz's reply - in an excessive manner - defended the team in that he's saying anyone who's been around those kids, and around the program (like Mac) shouldn't be questioning their ability to retain focus. It's essentially what he said in the press conference, in a more reasonable manner (i.e. this team is tough, has good character, will go to work every day despite the additional attention, yada yada).
I think Buzz mistook the intent behind the question, and his over-the-top response to it was done as a defense of his team, not some crackup under overwhelming pressure.
Quote from: LastWarrior on February 01, 2009, 11:54:45 AM
Thanks Warrior05. I read the transcript and I think it's a non-event. I personally feel Mac is ... edit.
Edit: Only Tom Crean can be called that!
Sorry Hilltopper! I just feel we're blowing this out of proportion... I know what a shock for a message board! If Buzz said that to Katz or Hunt, we'd be cheering him on. I'm not a fan of Mac and let it get the better of me. Can I call him a tool?
Quote from: warrior55 on February 01, 2009, 11:20:32 AM
I agree with Dry White Toast 100%
His true character was revealed when he apologized during the press conference. Not many Coaches in D1 would ever apologize for something they said.
He owned up to it, but I have yet to see any actual apology...
Quote from: Tribby on February 01, 2009, 01:05:09 PM
He owned up to it, but I have yet to see any actual apology...
Why would
you see an apology?
If there's an apology - and quite honestly I don't think it's necessary - it should be made to Mac. And only Mac.
I think this was all planned.
Quote from: LastWarrior on February 01, 2009, 12:42:14 PM
If Buzz said that to Katz or Hunt, we'd be cheering him on.
If Buzz had been interviewed by Jay Bilas, or Dick Vitale, or Andy Katz, he
wouldn't have brought out that angry, condescending bluster. Why he betrayed an attitude of disdain and superiority toward Mac we can only guess. We can explain it away by citing the stress of the moment, the big game, the grind of the conference schedule, etc., but I think it was evidence of something personal there.
This type of Bush league talk is ridiculous.
Buzz gets hired...people think it was a mistake.
Buzz recruits a top 10/5 class...people think we should wait until he doesn't have PT to sell to recruits.
Buzz goes 19-2 and 8-0 in the BEast...people think we need to wait until he does this with his "own" players
Buzz defends his players after he misinterprets a question...people think his "true" character is revealed.
When does he get the benefit of the doubt? What if we were 3-5 in the BEast? Would all these detractors cut him some slack because these aren't his players? Hell no, this board would be calling for his head and driving home the fact that the administration did a poor job of looking for a HC.
I'd hate to be in his shoes...if he wins, it was despite him if they loose (the team) it's because of him...on top of that miserable situation he has to be questioned around every turn about decisions he makes.
Quote from: muarmy81 on February 02, 2009, 06:06:47 AM
Buzz defends his players after he misinterprets a question...people think his "true" character is revealed.
I'm calling BS on that, muarmy.
WHO here said "Buzz's true character is revealed."??? Who? Answer: no one. The title of the thread was "Was Buzz Williams character revealed today?" Notice the word "was" and the question mark at the end?
The first two posts said "no" .. about the worst you could point out was someone said "a little."
It's amazing how in the Crean era, there were those who hated Crean, and those who defended him .. now we've got a new group of defenders, on the lookout for any sleight of Buzz so they can jump on the offenders. Freaking amazing.
Everyone DID cut him some slack, and will keep on doing so. These are indeed, good times.