MUScoop

If you're Cotts, what would you put on the table right now for Buzz (i.e. after Syracuse and before UNC)?  Would you offer any extension at all?  Risks & rewards my friends... who amongst Scooper Nation is willing to put it all on the line, and who is going to let the lions eat first?

Assuming Buzz is currently in the vicinity of $1.5M/yr and has three years remaining:

None - take a "wait and see" approach (and if so, how long do you wait) where you're not committed any longer than you already are but risk losing Buzz to another school next year.

Short-term - a 3-5 year extension starting @ $1.6-1.8M/yr.  Modest, if any, buyout.

The jury is still out, and you're not willing to commit to Buzz just yet, but you need to lock him up long enough for you to complete your 5-year, 'Chico-standard' evaluation period.  Allows you to "bridge" the gap, but the 7-figure buyout goes away and you again risk losing Buzz in a few years.

Medium-term - 5-10 year extension starting @ $1.75-2.0M/yr, multi-million buyout for the first 5 years, stepping down to a modest buyout in later years.

Put Buzz in the top tier, pay-wise.  Lock him down for the foreseeable future.  Assuage the fear and uncertainty in the recruiting process.  Put an end to the "Buzz to ______" threads for at least another year or two.

Long-term - 8-15 year extension starting around $2.0M/yr.  Prohibitive buyout until last 3-5 years of the extension.

Make Buzz the 15th highest paid coach in the nation.  Inscribe his name on his jet.  Guarantee tuition at any Jesuit institution for his kids.  Rest easy that Buzz is around for the long-term, or at least until he goes senile, in which case, at least you aren't married to the guy if he gets us demoted to the Horizon League (sans Butler) in seven years.

"Lifetime" - 20+ years, crippling buyouts, guaranteed an annual salary equal to the average amongst the top 10% of his peers.

Might as well commission the sculptors now because chances are, you think Buzz is going to want the statue to be of the "young Buzz" thirty years and 5 national titles from now.

Lifetime, a person like this, not just the coach, the person, comes around once in a lifetime.  You do everything you can to keep him at Marquette as long as you can.  You don't lowball him, lose him, and sit around saying "If only we had offered more"

He's still got three years left, I'd give him a bonus but would maintain the terms

 Have to look at a variety of factors, did attendance really drop this year?   Do we lose to Carolina or have a deeper run.  Too many variable to start this poll yet.   Next year is big again, is the program progressing or are we going to lose games in the BE standing again?  

Can't get swept up in the excitement of our two game run,  so far.

Quote from: KipsBayEagle on March 22, 2011, 03:17:04 PM
Lifetime, a person like this, not just the coach, the person, comes around once in a lifetime.  You do everything you can to keep him at Marquette as long as you can.  You don't lowball him, lose him, and sit around saying "If only we had offered more"

+1

My mind says "medium-term", but I seriously believe in Buzz. I don't think that he's just smoke and mirrors as some coaches are. I think that Marquette and its mission means something to him more than just a few words in Latin, and feel that he really cares about the kids and the community that this small Jesuit institution in the Midwest has created. While there would likely be ups and downs, and while Buzz is not without his blemishes (as he'll be the first to say) I would happily have him as long as he's willing to stay, with the caveat being any Bruce Pearl-type misdeeds down the road.

Quote from: Stone Cold on March 22, 2011, 03:20:43 PM
He's still got three years left, I'd give him a bonus but would maintain the terms

 Have to look at a variety of factors, did attendance really drop this year?   Do we lose to Carolina or have a deeper run.  Too many variable to start this poll yet.   Next year is big again, is the program progressing or are we going to lose games in the BE standing again.  

Can't get swept up in the excitement of our two game run,  so far.

What it boils down to for me, in addition to my first post, is do I realistically think we can get a better coach to come AND stay at Marquette long term.  I really don't think so, hence you do the lifetime contract

Buzz is leaving for Newark in three hours and he doesn't have an agent.  He has a lot on his mind right now.  Don't cloud it withc contract talk.

Hopefully Cottingham just said let's talk about "reworking" your contract in TWO WEEKS when the season is over.

I would be surprised that anyone would sign a lifetime deal with crippling buyouts.  People want flexibility.  In fact, most people with "lifetime" deals in the entertainment industry, sports, etc, have pretty loose terms binding them.  That is because to get such a deal the trust factor has to be so high to begin with, you don't throw on oppressive constraints to reward that trust.

Personally, I think a lot of people here are acting on emotion.  Would the responses be different if our first round game was against VCU and we lost?  My guess is yes.  Buzz will get a raise out of this whether it's at MU or elsewhere, but from someone who negotiates this stuff for a living...NEVER negotiate with emotions or you are screwed.

Quote from: brewcity77 on March 22, 2011, 03:21:03 PM
+1

My mind says "medium-term", but I seriously believe in Buzz. I don't think that he's just smoke and mirrors as some coaches are. I think that Marquette and its mission means something to him more than just a few words in Latin, and feel that he really cares about the kids and the community that this small Jesuit institution in the Midwest has created. While there would likely be ups and downs, and while Buzz is not without his blemishes (as he'll be the first to say) I would happily have him as long as he's willing to stay, with the caveat being any Bruce Pearl-type misdeeds down the road.

We hadn't noticed.  ;)


As to the topic, I'm surprised by all the lifetime votes.  I like Buzz, but as CBB says, you never negotiate or make decisions like this based on emotion.

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 22, 2011, 03:52:02 PM
I would be surprised that anyone would sign a lifetime deal with crippling buyouts.  People want flexibility.  In fact, most people with "lifetime" deals in the entertainment industry, sports, etc, have pretty loose terms binding them.  That is because to get such a deal the trust factor has to be so high to begin with, you don't throw on oppressive constraints to reward that trust.

Personally, I think a lot of people here are acting on emotion.  Would the responses be different if our first round game was against VCU and we lost?  My guess is yes.  Buzz will get a raise out of this whether it's at MU or elsewhere, but from someone who negotiates this stuff for a living...NEVER negotiate with emotions or you are screwed.

Exactly why I said that my head said mid-term extension, and why I haven't voted on the topic. I'd like Buzz to be here for his career, but I agree that he hasn't earned that as of yet. And while I hope for him to be Marquette's Coach K, or short of that matching Al with a few Final Fours and a title, I don't think that's requisite for him to stay for his career.

Results on the court are important. But if we see one Final Four every ten years, and our usual expectations become making the tourney with the occasional Sweet 16 run, I think I might be able to accept that if Buzz delivers from the human perspective. There's more to Marquette than winning basketball, as the past 34 years show. As long as Buzz can give acceptable results on the court, I can deal as long as we have top-notch student-athlete representatives and a program we can be proud of not just for what it does on the court but also off it.

But if I were actually negotiating right now, I'd offer Buzz 5 years and $11 million. Enough to lock him up for at least 2-3 years, push him up the pay-scale ranks, and see if he can deliver with his own four-year recruits. Love the guy, but logic says even a 6-10 year offer would be too long at this point.

I think a lot of people voted on emotion...I know I did.  The fact that this is our first Sweet 16 run in 8 years (gez...has it really been that long since Minneapolis?), says a lot to me about the potential of this man.  The way he recruits, the emotion he teaches/coaches with, his values & beliefs, and the way he connects with everyone that's a part of this program...tells me this is a guy I want representing my alma mater for a loooooooooooong time.
 
I think this most telling thing that has transpired through the numerous interviews that Buzz has done the past week, is the reaction they're getting.  Whether it's Rosiak telling us that reporters who had never heard him speak before, walked out of that press conference before that Cuse game, rather blown away...or Jim Rome, Scott Van Pelt, the First Take group @ ESPN, Dan Patrick, Bob Ryan, etc...these are personalities that speak to coaches for a living.  To hear them say that Buzz is a "breathe of fresh air" (Rome)...or talk about how much they "love what he's about" (SVP), carries a lot of weight in my book.
 
Sure, success should be measured with a greater representation than 3 years.  However, after experiencing what we went through with Crean and the constant swirling rumors, I think locking him up long term is a must.  Look at the unbelievable success Mark Few has experienced @ Gonzaga.  You never hear his name in the rumor mill.
 
We've constantly heard Buzz say it's not about the money, it's about the opportunity.  I hope we don't have to find the absolute truth about that statement after it's too late.
 
When our run is over this year, it might be time to put pen to paper.
 
 
 

tear up current contract & give a new 10-yr...

Quote from: KC2016 on March 22, 2011, 03:58:26 PM
As to the topic, I'm surprised by all the lifetime votes.  I like Buzz, but as CBB says, you never negotiate or make decisions like this based on emotion.

While I absolutely agree that you should avoid making decisions based on your own emotions, when there's competition involved, you do need to at least acknowledge the emotions of others.

As an example, there's no harm in taking a few days to think it over before buying the brand new Lexus SUV... there are plenty available now, and there will be plenty available when you're ready to buy.  But if someone puts an authentic, mint-condition 1966 Cobra in front of you... you don't have time to wait, let alone catch your breath, before someone has already beaten you to the punch.

Do you think the decision makers at Oklahoma and Arkansas are 100% emotionally stable right now?

Always maintain control of the process, even if it involves some emotion.  The worst decision we can make is to allow our emotional and irrational competitors make one for us.

Quote from: Wade for President on March 22, 2011, 04:38:35 PM
Look at the unbelievable success Mark Few has experienced @ Gonzaga.  You never hear his name in the rumor mill.

Listen closer to the rumor mill.  His name comes up regularly for the bigger jobs.  Which is silly because he's not going anywhere.  Reportedly Oregon made a strong attempt to get him and he turned them down.

Then again, Roy Williams left KU after 19 years and having turned down the same job 3 years earlier, so I can't really blame the rumor mill for thinking anything is possible.

Quote from: Benny B on March 22, 2011, 04:57:34 PM
While I absolutely agree that you should avoid making decisions based on your own emotions, when there's competition involved, you do need to at least acknowledge the emotions of others.

As an example, there's no harm in taking a few days to think it over before buying the brand new Lexus SUV... there are plenty available now, and there will be plenty available when you're ready to buy.  But if someone puts an authentic, mint-condition 1966 Cobra in front of you... you don't have time to wait, let alone catch your breath, before someone has already beaten you to the punch.

Do you think the decision makers at Oklahoma and Arkansas are 100% emotionally stable right now?

Always maintain control of the process, even if it involves some emotion.  The worst decision we can make is to allow our emotional and irrational competitors make one for us.

Lifetime contracts are BAD BUSINESS unless you absolutely know for sure what you have.  That's why so few sports franchises or colleges do it unless they've had the person for a long time already, typically speaking.  There are exceptions....but lifetime deals work both ways which means you can be stuck with someone.

It's one thing to have a "lifetime" contract for Coach K, Paterno, Pat Summit...they have proven it over decades. 

Hell, look how many people sign up for a "lifetime contract" when they get married only to decide later that wasn't such a good idea.

Yeah I would definitely say people voted on emotion.  I hope buzz gets some extra incentive, but because of one S16 run you want to keep him forever?  Yes I know he's a great guy, I've met him in person, I just think there are a lot of fans here overreacting.  Probably the same people who were calling for his head in the late regular season.

Reminds me of a middle school relationship.

Good Luck MU!

I am wonderling why you would put a buyout in? Is that not to the coaches advantage instead of the schools. Crean having a buyout of $500,000 allowed him to leave. Without the buyout, I would think he had no legal right to leave.
I wondering if that is why Buzz's buyout is so high. It is the fact that he does not have one, so the university could say will release him only if you pay us $3,800,000, which I am assuming is the balance of his contract with MU.

Quote from: Benny B on March 22, 2011, 03:14:39 PM
Assuming Buzz is currently in the vicinity of $1.5M/yr and has three years remaining:

Rosiak said Buzz had a six-year rollover contract so I'm assuming that means he always has 6 years left on his contract, unless MU decides to make a change to the terms.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/118052929.html (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/118052929.html)

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 22, 2011, 05:20:24 PM


Hell, look how many people sign up for a "lifetime contract" when they get married only to decide later that wasn't such a good idea.

Is your bride still working on a year to year contract or have you given her an extension? ;)

If I was AD I would sit Buzz down and ask his intentions and if he had interest in staying ask him "does upfront money or length of deal mean more to you?". If AD thinks Buzz is the guy and Buzz wants to be the guy they can figure it out. If Buzz has some wild idea or money or years you can connect the dots and know he is not long here. If he, who does not have an agent, really wants to be here I would think it could be figured out quite easily.

Quote from: Lennys Tap on March 22, 2011, 08:14:21 PM
Is your bride still working on a year to year contract or have you given her an extension? ;)

She's on a renewable scholarship year to year deal....we have an understanding (I just haven't told her that yet).

;D

Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 22, 2011, 05:20:24 PM
Lifetime contracts are BAD BUSINESS unless you absolutely know for sure what you have.  That's why so few sports franchises or colleges do it unless they've had the person for a long time already, typically speaking.  There are exceptions....but lifetime deals work both ways which means you can be stuck with someone.

It's one thing to have a "lifetime" contract for Coach K, Paterno, Pat Summit...they have proven it over decades. 

Hell, look how many people sign up for a "lifetime contract" when they get married only to decide later that wasn't such a good idea.

So I would ask if you're implying that emotion always leads to irreparable consequences, but it seems that question has already been answered.

what is buzz's salary at MU?

Regardless of numbers and length, I would tell Buzz I want a high dollar buyout or no buyout at all and a non-compete agreement naming 6 conferences he could not go to if he were to leave (Big Teneleventwelve, SEC, Big Twelve, BIG EAST etc). In order to get Buzz to bite, I would offer him the opportunity to name one school he can go to that would have no buy out consequences and for whom he would never have to seek permission to discuss employment. That way, his intentions are known, the timing is known and the powers that be only have to be concerned with one coaching position. Buzz gets enough money to be set for life and the opportunity to chase his dream without consequence if that job opens.

Or, you make a smaller buy-out for most schools, but identify the one he wants and jack that one way up. See Les Miles (LSU Football) and Michigan.

While people voted on emotion, it's a fact that we all saw a lot more about who Buzz is as a coach. With that in mind, I say lifetime.

Quote from: Gato78 on March 22, 2011, 10:18:43 PM
Regardless of numbers and length, I would tell Buzz I want a high dollar buyout or no buyout at all and a non-compete agreement naming 6 conferences he could not go to if he were to leave (Big Teneleventwelve, SEC, Big Twelve, BIG EAST etc). In order to get Buzz to bite, I would offer him the opportunity to name one school he can go to that would have no buy out consequences and for whom he would never have to seek permission to discuss employment. That way, his intentions are known, the timing is known and the powers that be only have to be concerned with one coaching position. Buzz gets enough money to be set for life and the opportunity to chase his dream without consequence if that job opens.

Why would he sign such a contract?  Unless you want to give him $3M per year, he would never agree to those terms.