[Rosiak's Blog] The buzz on Buzz

[ToddRosiakSays]

The buzz on Buzz

Written by: Todd Rosiak


Multiple sources have confirmed that Buzz Williams had informal talks with MU administrators on Wednesday regarding the vacant head-coaching position.

When asked about it early Thursday evening, athletic director Steve Cottingham said, "We're not going to discuss specific candidates' names." Williams, meanwhile, was at the Final Four in San Antonio and unavailable for comment.

The fact Williams was brought in so quickly isn't surprising because he was on campus and is still on staff at the school.

It is interesting, though, considering Williams' strong relationship both with the remaining Golden Eagles players and the five incoming recruits -- four signed, one oral commitment -- some of whom have said or intimated that they'd ask out of their national letters of intent if Williams wasn't retained. 

Talking to Williams could be a sign that the MU administration is interested in maintaining some stability and continuity in a program rocked by Crean's departure earlier this week.

Williams, 35, has one year of prior head-coaching experience, going 14-17 at New Orleans in the 2006-'07 season.

While Williams was the first one in, he certainly isn't the only candidate MU is considering.

Indications are MU has a strong interest in Xavier's Sean Miller and Washington State's Tony Bennett, two of the hottest young coaches in the business today. Virginia Commonwealth's Anthony Grant, Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery, Davidson's Bob McKillop and Wright State's Brad Brownell remain possibilities as well.

Cottingham remained in Milwaukee Thursday, and did not travel to San Antonio.

Earlier in the day I spoke to St. Anthony guard Tyshawn Taylor, who told me his coach, Bob Hurley, had already mailed to MU his request for Taylor to be released from his letter of intent.

"I like Coach Buzz, I really do, and I like Marquette, and I'm definitely going to consider it," he said. "I'm still going to think about it, though, because now that a lot of schools know that Coach Crean left for Indiana, I'm getting a lot of looks. A lot of coaches are calling Coach Hurley about me. So I'm not sure what I want to do yet."

Taylor, who told me Wednesday that he'd still consider attending MU if Williams was retained in some capacity, didn't seem quite so certain today.

"I'm not sure how Coach Buzz is as a coach, you know?" said Taylor. "He recruited me really well, and I knew how Coach Crean coached, but he was the head coach. I'm not sure how Coach Buzz is as a coach."

Taylor said he'd spoken to Williams twice since Tuesday.

A more complete version of this story will be posted later tonight.



http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/04/03/the-buzz-on-buzz.aspx

[ChuckyChip]

On Homer's show today DeCourcy said that there was no chance that Bennett or Miller would be coming here.  His point about Miller was why would he want to leave a position where he can recruit second-tier kids in Ohio and Indiana, win the A-10, and get a three seed in the tournament to come to a tough conference like the Big East, finish fifth or sixth, and get a six seed.

[ChicosBailBonds]

On Homer's show today DeCourcy said that there was no chance that Bennett or Miller would be coming here.  His point about Miller was why would he want to leave a position where he can recruit second-tier kids in Ohio and Indiana, win the A-10, and get a three seed in the tournament to come to a tough conference like the Big East, finish fifth or sixth, and get a six seed.

And he's right.

[mu_hilltopper]

When you say it like that, maybe we could get MU into the A-10.

[mosarsour]

For some reason, I've got this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach that things are gonna be a buzzing on the MU squad next year...pun completely intended.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

That would be really, really lazy and weak. An embarrassing hire when you think about. Completely small time...and we still probably lose at least Taylor

[TallTitan34]

I'm getting sick of this Hurley guy.  Is the decision his or Taylors?

[79Warrior]

That would be really, really lazy and weak. An embarrassing hire when you think about. Completely small time...and we still probably lose at least Taylor

If MU cannot get Bennett or Miller (which appears the case0 why not Williams? The whole recruiting class will bolt for any second tier coach. Not sure Williams is any wors than Crean 9 years ago. Better chance for continuity of the program. If you fall in the BE it is really tough to get back up. Just look at DePAul, SJU etc.

[ChicosBailBonds]

When you say it like that, maybe we could get MU into the A-10.

Depending on the hire, that might be a good idea.

[bilsu]

Miller played in the Big East, so I would expect him to want to be a Big East coach. No different than Crean, because of his Michigan St. connections, being drawn to the Big 10.

[muPARTY]

i still have some strange feeling that Miller could still come here.  he said he was staying at Xavier, but that was when it was Indiana knocking.  i just think he can get almost everything IU could offer (money, control, conference, fans, tradition) but MU has a huge advantage when it comes to a young coach.  Less Pressure.  we expect NCAAs and hope for Sweet 16s, Indiana expects Final Fours and hopes for championships.  that's the only reason why i could still see Sean taking the MU job.

but i completely forgot about Wright State's Brad Brownell.  he's done some great things with that program.  ironic that 9yrs ago Crean was on Wright St's short list when they were coach hunting. 


I also like Brian Gregory of Dayton.  another guy that's done a lot with a program that doesn't have quite the same resources.

Don't know much about, but heard good things about Virginia Commonwealth's Anthony Grant.

Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery, a coach from SIU almost always has to be looked at because that program seems to always succeed (sans this yr), but if i remember right he has a decent sized buyout added to his contract 1 or 2 yrs ago ($800,000-$1,000,000).

Davidson's Bob McKillop- no, no, no.  for one i think he a little on the older side.  and 2, Davidson has been a decent program, but i'm never sold on coach's from cinderella schools that aren't even mid-majors.

[drewm88]

I really want somebody who has proven they can coach. Buzz does not fit that option, I'm sorry.

[77ncaachamps]

IF they THINK keeping Buzz will keep Taylor, it seems like a pipe dream at this point. That kid has his coach talking into his ear, and his second guessing is VERY obvious.

At least keeping Buzz will help keep the other recruits (esp. Fulce) into the mix, but I cannot help to think:
1) MU knows Buzz was a quick fix
2) Buzz knows #1 is true
3) The chemistry will be off between the coaches and the players

If MU does this right, they'll get someone who will be here for a considerable amount of time.

If they get lucky, they'll get someone who will realize the rich MU tradition and support for the top D-I sport at the university and stay for decades to come.

[Big Papi]

From the sound if it, it just seems like Taylor wants out and it probably doesn't matter who we get as coach.  Hiring Buzz will keep Otule and Fulce and probably more importantly Eric Williams.  Nick Williams is gone.

[TJ]

If MU does this right, they'll get someone who will be here for a considerable amount of time.

If they get lucky, they'll get someone who will realize the rich MU tradition and support for the top D-I sport at the university and stay for decades to come.

I thought that was Crean until Tuesday.  Now I don't think that person exists anymore.  Just hire the best guy you can get, because no matter who it is, it's only a matter of time until he's gone.

[chapman]

I agree that we should be able to get an established coach, and Buzz isn't.  He's known for his recruiting, but there are other coaches out there that can recruit that have more than one year of head coaching experience or assistants with more experience at major programs.  I think he's too much of a "quick fix".  If he's hired and the recruiting class is saved, it tells nothing about his coachig abilities.  Winning next year with four senior starters and Lazar Hayward leading the team also says little of the coach, regardless of who we get.  Two years from now, regardless of coach, you almost have to concede as a transition/rebuilding year.  After that, we can finally start to evaluate the hire.