http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/buzz-williams-needed-someone-new-to-appreciate-him-b99230830z1-251607361.html
I think this is as plausible an explanation as any. Think back to Buzz' sudden departure from NO where he wasn't given the resources. Is there a connection? I don't know.
Can someone copy and paste the article? Thanks.
Quote from: Rockmic87 on March 21, 2014, 08:28:56 PM
Can someone copy and paste the article? Thanks.
Buzz Williams once told me he turned down the Southern Methodist job a few years ago because nobody cared about SMU basketball. He said he didn't take Southern California's calls for basically the same reason.
Williams, eccentricities and all, loved being front and center at a basketball-first school like Marquette, rich in tradition with its willingness to spend, spend, spend on the men's basketball program.
In fact, I've been told that's why he didn't go to Oklahoma in 2012. The Sooners took one look at how lavishly Williams was living at Marquette in terms of recruiting and travel and decided he was too rich for even their oil-infused blood.
At more than $260,000 per player per year, Marquette spends more on men's basketball than any school in the country except Duke. At $2.8 million a season, Williams was drawing a top-10 salary. The Golden Eagles stay in five-star hotels and little expense is spared on the coach during recruiting trips.
So why would he go to a place like Virginia Tech, a football school where like SMU and USC nobody cares about basketball? While it offers the chance to coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference — and the opportunity to get hammered by Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse, Louisville and Virginia — VPI in every way is a step down from Marquette.
A coaching graveyard, Virginia Tech is a bad job. I'm surprised that Williams would jump just to jump, which pretty much was what Friday's thunderbolt event was all about.
A terrific coach, Williams is a peculiar man who needs constant love and attention. After his first bad season in six years at Marquette, a 17-15 record and no postseason tournament, Williams apparently did not find the adoration that came with taking the Golden Eagles to three Sweet 16 appearances in three years.
He was confused and questioning himself about strategy, rotations and recruiting after the abrupt end to the season. He was unusually reclusive, which was the first hint he was looking around for someone new to love and appreciate him.
I sincerely wish him luck at dead-end Virginia Tech because he is an engaging personality who will be missed. But now he's gone and Marquette is back to the same question that has dogged it for years, despite the resources it puts into its cash cow:
How does Marquette shake the reputation that it is a steppingstone job?
I don't think that is an accurate description. Tom Crean left because Indiana is Indiana. Kevin O'Neill, who wishes he'd lever left, had itchy feet, was always looking around and had the need to be hugged, just like Williams.
The Golden Eagles are not ideally situated to make a major hire because they have an interim athletic director and an interim president. But Bill Cords got it right with O'Neill and Crean, and there is a chance he could do it again with insight from Mike Broeker, the associate AD who worked in the NBA and is a keen judge of coaching talent.
Ben Howland is hot for the job, and the former UCLA and Pitt coach would lend credibility as the kind of established name Marquette has never really landed. On the other hand, Crean was an assistant coach. So was Williams. Nobody knew him from Buzz Lightyear at the time of his hiring, and that worked out just fine.
I'd give Brian Wardle major consideration. The former Marquette standout has done really good things at UW-Green Bay. And I'm not sure how Cords would feel about hiring a guy with any kind of Wisconsin connection, but North Dakota State coach Saul Phillips, a Reedsburg native who played at UW-Platteville and coached at UW-Milwaukee and Madison for Bo Ryan, has become an NCAA Tournament darling for his wit, coaching ability and the Bisons' upset of Oklahoma.
Since Al McGuire, Marquette has employed Hank Raymonds, Rick Majerus, Bob Dukiet, O'Neill, Mike Deane, Crean and Williams. With an exception or two, that's not a bad run.
It also gave Williams everything he needed to be successful, and even that was not enough in the end to satisfy his quirky personality.
Now it's time for stability, someone who will see Marquette for what it is and commit to the program.
Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/buzz-williams-needed-someone-new-to-appreciate-him-b99230830z1-251607361.html#ixzz2weQ64Oxr
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Nice piece, Mike.
Sums up my thoughts.
Doesn't he say the same thing as Marotta here:
A coaching graveyard, Virginia Tech is a bad job. I'm surprised that Williams would jump just to jump, which pretty much was what Friday's thunderbolt event was all about.
A terrific coach, Williams is a peculiar man who needs constant love and attention. After his first bad season in six years at Marquette, a 17-15 record and no postseason tournament, Williams apparently did not find the adoration that came with taking the Golden Eagles to three Sweet 16 appearances in three years.
He was confused and questioning himself about strategy, rotations and recruiting after the abrupt end to the season. He was unusually reclusive, which was the first hint he was looking around for someone new to love and appreciate him.
I sincerely wish him luck at dead-end Virginia Tech because he is an engaging personality who will be missed.
Buzz sensitivity was first exposed during the glad he created in his first season over something mundane McIlvane said either during the broadcast or the post game interview. Always thought that was odd.
One bad year and he is looking for a shoulder to cry on and someone to tell him he is loved. Really?, You can't make this up...... This is a high major college coach and has no idea as to how to accept defeat/disappointment?
Wait till next year when Duke, UNC, Louisville, PITT, NC State, Virginia, Syracuse and the likes play the Hokies. He will need more than one shoulder and many lips to start whispering nice things in his ear.
Best I've seen from Mike Hunt.
Buzz going to VT = Bielema going to Arkansas
So Buzz, Buzz-cut himself. If it is true he worries about being loved he has more issues than we need. Time to get a mature, proven commodity.
Really good article, but it sounds like Hunt was aware of some odd behavior and discontent from Buzz and it would have made a great column before his departure.
Quote from: VegasWarrior77 on March 21, 2014, 08:59:12 PM
Buzz going to VT = Bielema going to Arkansas
VaTech hoops is nowhere near the equivalent of Arkansas football. Nor is Buzz getting the kind of raise Bielema got.
I simply meant the pounding he will take (conference losses).
The fact that Buzz would have been referring to us in some press conferences, referring to our negativity, and mentioning boos in some games showed us the guy was lacking in accountability for his own actions. He is the reason we were booing, his lineups this year, and his play calling this year were abysmal.
If you get paid that much money to do a job. Do it and take responsibility even when you are failing. He will never be big, he will never be a GREAT coach if he can't withstand one season of adversity.
It is time for MU to bring in a proven commodity, someone who has struggled and has come back from it.
Va Tech...even in the OLD Big East SUCKS. MORONIC MOVE by Buzz, but then again he doesn't have an agent....or so he says.
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on March 21, 2014, 08:58:00 PM
Best I've seen from Mike Hunt.
Easily. Quite frankly shocked me with its cogent analysis.
Buzz going to VT = KO going to Tennessee. In so many ways.
Quote from: Jajuannaman on March 21, 2014, 09:09:49 PM
Easily. Quite frankly shocked me with its cogent analysis.
All except for the Wardle endorsement.
Quote from: WarriorGreg1965 on March 21, 2014, 09:00:57 PM
Really good article, but it sounds like Hunt was aware of some odd behavior and discontent from Buzz and it would have made a great column before his departure.
Maybe, but to what good does it do? No one writes an article in mid season to say the coach isn't getting stroked enough and is feeling under appreciated. It would be problematic for both writer and coach.
4ever
Warble would make us want to be SLU in three years.
Quote from: Goose on March 21, 2014, 09:41:31 PM
4ever
Warble would make us want to be SLU in three years.
This hire is absolutely critical goin' forward. We're either gonna be relevant or just a fart in the wind.
Quote from: WarriorGreg1965 on March 21, 2014, 09:00:57 PM
Really good article, but it sounds like Hunt was aware of some odd behavior and discontent from Buzz and it would have made a great column before his departure.
We've seen how sensitive Buzz can get when the media asks tough questions or is critical of Buzz. If you're a beat reporter, do you run a column that shows Buzz's discontent and then get cut off from the coach himself? No way.
4ever
My greatest fear is Wardke hire. If Strong is active I doubt, but who knows. Whole thing is a mess right now.
Quote from: VegasWarrior77 on March 21, 2014, 08:59:12 PM
Buzz going to VT = Bielema going to Arkansas
Arkansas won alot in football. What's VT hoops ever won. 1995 nit.
Quote from: VegasWarrior77 on March 21, 2014, 09:03:51 PM
I simply meant the pounding he will take (conference losses).
Quote from: Goose on March 21, 2014, 09:46:18 PM
4ever
My greatest fear is Wardke hire. If Strong is active I doubt, but who knows. Whole thing is a mess right now.
Real fooked up mess. Here's the essence of the problem. What coach worth his salt is gonna wanna come here right now knowin' that both an interim AD and interim Prez did the hirin'? Not a chance ya get the alpha dog.
Quote from: mileskishnish72 on March 21, 2014, 08:58:00 PM
Best I've seen from Mike Hunt.
Agree completely. Has he been saving this up?
Quote from: WarriorGreg1965 on March 21, 2014, 09:00:57 PM
Really good article, but it sounds like Hunt was aware of some odd behavior and discontent from Buzz and it would have made a great column before his departure.
Had he written this article before Buzz's departure, he'd have been savaged by many on this board, myself included.
Quote from: Knight Commission on March 21, 2014, 09:11:07 PM
Buzz going to VT = KO going to Tennessee. In so many ways.
Except, Buzz got shown the love with big bucks, KO did not.
Quote from: LittleMurs on March 21, 2014, 10:20:33 PM
Except, Buzz got shown the love with big bucks, KO did not.
And Marquette basketball of 2014 >>>>> Marquette basketball 1994
Quote from: 4everwarriors on March 21, 2014, 10:07:37 PM
Real fooked up mess. Here's the essence of the problem. What coach worth his salt is gonna wanna come here right now knowin' that both an interim AD and interim Prez did the hirin'? Not a chance ya get the alpha dog.
Didn't Katz* already report that Howland "wants Marquette"?