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Ex-CSU aide runs show at Marquette
By Natalie Meisler
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 07/02/2008 11:22:08 PM MDT
Buzz Williams was an assistant coach at five schools, then head coach at New Orleans (2006-07), then an assistant at Marquette. He became head coach when Tom Crean left for Indiana.
Just four years after leaving Colorado State as the Rams' top recruiter and associate head coach, Brent "Buzz" Williams is still spinning from his rapid ascent through the coaching ranks to the seat once occupied at Marquette by Al McGuire.
Williams chatted with The Denver Post's Natalie Meisler between summer camp sessions, so excited with the new job he forgot to mention one of the big-time perks: He threw out the first pitch at a recent Brewers-Blue Jays game.
Q: How has life changed now that you are a head coach at a Big East power?
A: I have a six-year contract with a two-year rollover. I've never been employed at the same place for six years. I feel very blessed, and I'm extremely excited to tell the players every day is a work day. I've been here 75 days, and every day is a work day. It's more than anything I ever dreamed of. I'm in awe of the entire process.
Q: You made your name scouring Texas talent for places like Northwestern (La.) State and Texas-Arlington before going to CSU. What is it like now, having access to nearly every elite prospect in the country?
A: All my experiences prior to CSU and after CSU helped prepare me for this opportunity. In the last 40 years, Marquette is ranked ninth in Division I for the most wins. For that to continue, we have to recruit the nation's best.
Q: Dale Layer hired you at CSU, and now he's on your staff. What's it like being the boss of your former boss?
A: Dale gave me my first really good job. When I left Northwestern State, I thought I was at the pinnacle of college basketball. I was so grateful to come to Fort Collins. When I was working for him, I never thought the roles would be changed four years later. Coach Layer is absolutely the best human being I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He's a top-shelf person, husband, father and a great role model for the student-athletes. He's an extremely good X's and O's coach.
Q: Bill Peterson, who was on the CSU staff, is on the Milwaukee Bucks staff. When you all have lunch, is it CSU East?
A: I spent a lot of time with Bill last year. It was our first year, and we were both trying to figure out what we're doing. Jake Nelp, who was our basketball operations guy (at CSU), is our video guy here. Matt Williams was my first recruit at CSU. He's back from playing pro ball in France and is working our camps as a coach.
Q: Would you schedule CSU? Tim Miles' North Dakota State team beat Marquette before you went there.
A: We'd love to play CSU. I'd love to see all the people I developed relationships with.
Q: After CSU and Texas A&M, what's it like to coach at a "basketball school" that doesn't have a football team?
A: Not to be negative toward any other sport, but the passion of Marquette University is men's basketball. . . . It's all basketball, all the time. After the NBA playoffs, the school took out an ad in the USA Today news section congratulating (Marquette alum) Doc Rivers. It's a very unique situation.
Q: Your wife couldn't have been happy about the prospect of a third move in three years if you didn't get the head coaching job and (instead) followed Tom Crean to Indiana.
A: She understands it's part of the business. But more so than I'm the head coach and got a raise, the thing I'm most happy for is this is home for us now. My two older kids were born in Fort Collins, moved to Texas and then here. . . . Now they are going to have roots.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
Buzz's good old days
Buzz Williams lists the five favorite memories from his time at Colorado State:
1. Micheal Morris hitting two late 3-pointers to beat Purdue at Moby Arena.
2. Winning the 2003 Mountain West Tournament, defeating BYU, and then UNLV on its court.
3. Playing Duke in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament and trailing by only two points with less than two minutes left.
4. Defeating Air Force in the first round of the 2004 MWC Tournament just before the Falcons went to the NCAA Tournament.
5. Beating Utah in 2003 in Salt Lake City when coach Rick Majerus was kicked out of the game.