This Is A Done Deal

[4everwarriors]

So the end result of the BOT meeting today was to come to a consensus and finalize MU's offer to Buzz.

I guess I'm very much surprised for 2 reasons:

1. The urgency Marquette feels in hiring obviously to protect the incoming class of recruits.

2. The lack of a bigger name having an interest in this job. I'm beginning to believe we are really only a mid-major in disguise.

Nonetheless, if its Buzz, I'm willing to go with it and give the man a fair chance to  make his mark in Warrior history.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

This better be a HELLUVA class of recruits...and what if they don't all show up?

And I thought our current junior class were under a lot of pressure.

[Detfan23]

I am not sure you can say that we are a mid major if you are refering to Miller, Bennett, and Grant.  Here is why:

Miller has a VERY good thing going at Xavier.  It is a similar type school to Marquette, but it is a lot easier to win in the A-10 then the Big East. He is also waiting on the dream job at Pitt.  Oh, and he really does sit in a better region for recruiting.

Bennett really really likes it out on the northwest coast.  Sometimes people stay at jobs for more then just the fact that they like it, he also loves the area.  Plus the expectations are really lower at WSU then Marquette and he is getting a sweet chunk of change there.  Also, Bo Ryan won't be at Wisconsin forever.

Grant is going to get a job in the SEC and he is just bidding his time.  Everyone knows the MU gig is better than VCU, but maybe he knows something you don't.

[4everwarriors]

I'll bet Bennett wouldn't give MU lip service since his father got the cold shoulder from us when he was @ UWGB and coveted the Warrior job. Tony seems like that kind of principled guy.

[jutaw22mu]

i hope this isnt true.  this is the wrong direction IMO.

[MR.HAYWARD]

What is really sad is I have agreed with both of you guys with your criticsms of Crean.  I think in many ways they were warranted.  But i think you immediate ridicule of cottinham and the BOT with absolutely zero knowledge of the process or the people involved reuces any credibility you have and makes you guys out to look like very shallow angry people.  Forget the freaking recruiting class.  Maybe just myabe our AD and BOt consist of very intelligent people taht were extremely impressed with Buzz Williams the man.  Tom Crean was very impressed with him as well, no i realize that stands for nothing Crean is a loser and our BOT and AD are pure idiots.  Then maybe you guys respect texas A&M or colorado state people more...go to their scout sites and ask them what they think...I am quite sure they will all tell you Buzz was aguy they saw destined for stardom and hated to see him go.  He go the job just like Dixon, Crean, Izzo, beacuse he is star in the making and if we dont take him we will have to settle for someone with out as much ability like the guys you mention!!

[jutaw22mu]

all i have to say that is if we hire him, he better make us forget about crean real quick.  and he also better hire an assistant who knows x's and o's.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Mr. Hayward seems pretty certain about this and I sincerely hope he's right.

I just have a hard time seeing Williams as having the polish to serve as a coach in the Big East conference.

Again...I hope I'm wrong. Let's just keep in mind that he's not just recruiting high school kids and coaching basketball, he's our university's most high profile employee.

[Pardner]

This better be a HELLUVA class of recruits...and what if they don't all show up?

And I thought our current junior class were under a lot of pressure.

A potential thought process.

If we couldn't get Bennett or Miller, Grant was the best of the mids.  But, it sounds like he didn't want to recruit up north--nor does he have recruiting contacts up here.  At MU, you are recruiting against the Big 10 and HOF coaches of the BE who sign up every McD's AA.  You need a national recruiter.

So, that leaves Gregory, Brownell, Lowery and Williams and Groce.  Gregory has a mixed record.  Brownell is a great x's and o's guy, but not a recruiter.  Lowery hasn't recruited like Painter and Weber.

So back to the recruiters.  Groce knows Indiana/Ohio, scored big with some non-MU type recruits (questionable academics, stay a year)...or Williams a known quantity who delivered in the Fall signing after three months on the job.  And, he was a head coach.  Knows the South which is a fertile recruiting territory right now.  On x's and o's, the guy is well prepared in his prep by all accounts.  And, with a top 10-15 team and a Top 20 recruiting class, can you lean into him?

I have been ripped for this by some homers--but this came at a very vulnerable time.  The fact is, most of our coaching changes going back in time were due to "planned" departures.  We had time to do the search.  We are vulnerable here this time--our coach left unexpectedly and late (victim of success).  With a new AD, berng blindsided and with threats of 4-7 players/recruits wanting out, this is where we are at.  

Some will say we settled, but by all accounts, the guy is a great choice from a basketball sense--if we are willing to lean in.  There are questions about the other areas of the job, for sure.  

[Norm]

nm

[77fan88warrior]

Any coach who leaves the University of New Orleans after Katrina rips through the city, complaining about the facilities and the schools willingness to upgrade them, has a character question in my book. I will be very underwhelmed if MU hires Buzz Williams.

Norm,
I think your comments should be relegated to the superbar.

[TVDirector]

kind of a reverse hank raymonds thing.
head coach who knew the x/o's.
didn't have a great track record getting guys here (T Schlundt in 79??)...

if Buzz can represent the U, program, students, athletes, and bring some viable recruits in...
and MU insists on an associate head coach with considerable floor moxy...
well, what the heck, I suppose.

was really thinking that in order to save face, continue to show the hoops world that MU is a destination and a big time program, Cott would be vehement in his pursuit of a big or at least very hot name....
what do I know!

good luck MU!

[Pakuni]

I'll bet Bennett wouldn't give MU lip service since his father got the cold shoulder from us when he was @ UWGB and coveted the Warrior job. Tony seems like that kind of principled guy.

Actually, if I recall correctly Marquette made overtures to Dick Bennett after O'Neill left and he politely declined.

In fact, this seems to validate my memory:

http://www.madison.com/tct/sports/279903

Interestingly enough, when Marquette was looking for a successor to O'Neill in the mid-'90s, it was reported that Washington State's coach was interested in the job. That would have been Kelvin Sampson, one of the reasons why Crean will be introduced today as Indiana's new coach.

Another reason?

Washington State's coach wasn't interested in the job.

That would be Tony Bennett, a hot property, whose name will likely resurface in conjunction with the Marquette opening. Just like the Bennett name did 14 years ago when O'Neill left. Back then, it was Tony's dad, UW-Green Bay coach Dick Bennett.

"That's a wonderful place (Marquette) and there was a time I would have jumped at the opportunity to be a candidate," Dick Bennett acknowledged "But, at this time, I'm not going to be a candidate."

[MR.HAYWARD]

TV director...i agree it was/is my opinion that MU would be so afraid that they had to make a flash/statement with this hire that they would fail ot hire the best person for the job.  That they would be a fraid of Mu alum and national perception of hiring an assitnt that they would not give BUZZ a look.  Kudos once again to Cottingham and the BOT if they do indeed hire Buzz.  Some day people will look back at this and see that Crean laeving and us making this surprising/curois deciosn to hire Buzz as the gretest thing for Marquette basketball since Mu hired a seemingly head scratcher in Al McGuire!!

[The Lens]

Pak, regardless of what's been printed, MU did not make a determined attempt a Bennett after KO, despite KO saying DB is your man.   DB wanted the job and felt stung.

[Pakuni]

Pak, regardless of what's been printed, MU did not make a determined attempt a Bennett after KO, despite KO saying DB is your man.   DB wanted the job and felt stung.

Why make a "determined attempt" for a guy who publicly declines the job? Should Marquette be the creepy guy from the office who won't take "No" for answer when asking out the cute new secretary?

[mosarsour]

OK. So apparantly we've got a new head coach in Buzz Williams. If it's truly a done deal, let's move forward for next season. Let's get on the phone with our recruits and see if they want to stay. If not? Again...let's move forward and FIND SOME FAST! This could be a new day for Marquette Basketball. Let's not get ahead of ourselves and let's see what Buzz can do. Plus, I kind of like the fact that we have a coach named Buzz.