What would you expect from an Athletic Director...?

[MNEagle84]

Marquette fan living in Minnesota, so I have been paying attention to the coaching search for the Gophers.

Listened to the press conference introducing Richard Pitino today and the following question was asked to the Athletic Director Norwood Teague...

"Q.  Norwood, in the course of this search, we have seen other coaches and other schools either re‑up for higher prices or others leave with existing contracts to go to other schools.  So as you look at Richard and want to have him here committed as long as possible what kind of slippery slope are we on with this situation with college coaches who are so called committed to a school, someone else comes in, sweeps them away, and next thing you know they're wearing someone else's colors?
NORWOOD TEAGUE:  It's a reality, but one thing that I can control, and that is the relationship that Richard and I have.  We're getting here together at the same time, essentially.  I'm nine months apart.  But we're going to be attached at the hip.  I will work diligently at our relationship.  I know it will be great.  I think that's the part I can control.
That does at times, behind the scenes keep coaches in certain jobs, and I want him here a long time and to be ultra successful, and I'll work to be a servant leader for him."

http://www.asapsports.com/show_conference.php?id=88212

I really don't want to beat a dead horse regarding Larry Williams, especially since a lot of the information about the relationship between Buzz and LW and Pilarz is based on hearsay and 'sources', but I think we can all agree that it probably isn't where it needs to be. In this day an age where relationships and networking mean so much in just about every industry, I have a very hard time understanding why the Larry and Buzz relationship isn't working. I can't really understand why LW and Pilarz, regardless of personal feelings or responsibilities towards the BOTs, representing Marquette and enforcing NCAA rules, don't see the value of having a relationship with Buzz. Obviously Buzz is a part of the relationship to, so blame should not be solely on LW or Pilarz either.

I have never played a collegiate sport, don't know all of the responsibilities of athletic director, or a president of a college, but this situation just troubles me. Personal feelings aside, an athletic director, president of a major university, or any other person in management these days should be expected to be able to build relationships, work through difficult situations and work for a solution that benefits all parties in the long run. From what I have seen and heard about LW and Pilarz, and how the situation with Buzz is continually reported, they have not shown the ability to do these things. Maybe I can't see the same bigger picture that they do, but I think that is what concerns me the most about the situation as it currently stands.

Sorry for the long post. Read the board a lot, don't usually post, but as this is a topic that concerns me not just from an MU basketball perspective, but also, the direction of MU as a whole. Wanted to get other people's thoughts...
Feel free to merge or move to another post if it makes sense....

[GGGG]

What concerns me the most is the leadership at the very top of the University.  Lots of rumors about poor donor relationships...turnover at the highest levels of the University...financial issues that could be real troubling in a couple of years...

I'll be honest, right now Pilarz reminds me a lot of DiUlio.

[madtownwarrior]

"I really don't want to beat a dead horse regarding Larry Williams, especially since a lot of the information about the relationship between Buzz and LW and Pilarz is based on hearsay and 'sources'"


Too late and thanks for adding to the hearsay....

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

I think we can all agree that it probably isn't where it needs to be.

You are mistaken - I do not agree. Due to the point made immediately before this sentence - nobody here knows what the eff they're talking about on LW and Buzz's relationship.

[warriorchick]

  Lots of rumors about poor donor relationships...turnover at the highest levels of the University...financial issues that could be real troubling in a couple of years...

I'll be honest, right now Pilarz reminds me a lot of DiUlio.

That's nice.  Get back to us when you have some actual facts.

[GGGG]

That's nice.  Get back to us when you have some actual facts.

I don't have any I can share, but I do have knowledge of specific facts in each case that I brought up.  You can chose to believe me or not.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Two way street.  Coach has to build that relationship, too. 

In this case, AD was hired to clean some things up, give some direction.  Coach's best friend was fired because he lied, that didn't sit well.  LW and SP had to do it.  They have to show it's a university, first.  If anything, to send a message. 

[MUCam]

Coach's best friend was fired because he lied, that didn't sit well. 

Do you know this to be the case? That it did not sit well with Buzz? Or is it just an assumption. I just think that if you are going to make that statement, you better be able to provide a source, or identify it as opinion.

If it is a fact, then shame on Buzz. Because I agree it had to be done. Question is: Do we know what Buzz felt about it? Or are we just guessing...

[ChicosBailBonds]

Do you know this to be the case? That it did not sit well with Buzz? Or is it just an assumption. I just think that if you are going to make that statement, you better be able to provide a source, or identify it as opinion.

If it is a fact, then shame on Buzz. Because I agree it had to be done. Question is: Do we know what Buzz felt about it? Or are we just guessing...

I think you are misconstruing what I said, or more likely I stated it poorly.  When I say it didn't sit well, I mean to say he was upset about it.  Yes, he was upset, disappointed, etc.  Said so himself.     Now, whether he holds a grudge against LW and SP for it, I don't know.  There are people here and elsewhere that say yes.  That say the one game suspension was overkill.  Those people can chime in if they wish.

[MUCam]

I think you are misconstruing what I said, or more likely I stated it poorly.  When I say it didn't sit well, I mean to say he was upset about it.  Yes, he was upset, disappointed, etc.  Said so himself.     Now, whether he holds a grudge against LW and SP for it, I don't know.  There are people here and elsewhere that say yes.  That say the one game suspension was overkill.  Those people can chime in if they wish.

Fair enough. I can assure you I won't chime in and I thought the school did what it had to do.

Is Buzz disappointed, upset? I would hope he would be. Does he hold it as a grudge or blame the administration for treating a friend unfairly? I would hope he doesn't.

But the key is, we don't know. We can only speculate, so we have to be careful when our words and opinions take on the image of fact.

[ATWizJr]

I think you are misconstruing what I said, or more likely I stated it poorly.  When I say it didn't sit well, I mean to say he was upset about it.  Yes, he was upset, disappointed, etc.  Said so himself.     Now, whether he holds a grudge against LW and SP for it, I don't know.  There are people here and elsewhere that say yes.  That say the one game suspension was overkill.  Those people can chime in if they wish.

Overkill?  'Twas.  I think it could have been handled in house.  However, after the firing, the suspension was unnecessary IMO.

[4everwarriors]

Larry didn't hire Buzz. It starts with that as a given and can mushroom from there. Just that simple.

[denverMU]

Larry Williams to Rutgers ..........

[Pakuni]

Overkill?  'Twas.  I think it could have been handled in house.  However, after the firing, the suspension was unnecessary IMO.

Actually,  no. This is what the NCAA wants ... head coaches held accountable for violations, even ones they personally did not commit.
Calhoun got three games for violations committed by assistants and a booster.
Randy Bennett got five games for an assistant's violations.
Scott Drew was suspended two games for assistants' violations.

Head coaches are being held accountable for their assistants' actions. Just the way it us ( and should be, IMO).

On a related note, good to see anonymous Internet people are back to posting vague accusations they refuse to detail based on nameless sources they won't reveal or describe.
Gotta love the offseason.
How many returning players were forced out last year in the Great Purge of 2012?

[JakeBarnes]

What concerns me the most is the leadership at the very top of the University.  Lots of rumors about poor donor relationships...turnover at the highest levels of the University...financial issues that could be real troubling in a couple of years...

I'll be honest, right now Pilarz reminds me a lot of DiUlio.

I'm totally not donating to the university until I get solid facts about donor relationships and turnover!!!

[Avenue Commons]

This story line was overblown a year ago when it was at least current news. There are no issues. Stop fanning the flames of discontent.

[Dawson Rental]

Do you know this to be the case? That it did not sit well with Buzz? Or is it just an assumption. I just think that if you are going to make that statement, you better be able to provide a source, or identify it as opinion.

If it is a fact, then shame on Buzz. Because I agree it had to be done. Question is: Do we know what Buzz felt about it? Or are we just guessing...

It's interesting how one's perspective can filter things.  I assumed that Chicos meant to say that Buzz hiring a long time friend who apparently was not the caliber of person that the school expected didn't sit well with Buzz's bosses.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

What concerns me the most is the leadership at the very top of the University.  Lots of rumors about poor donor relationships...turnover at the highest levels of the University...financial issues that could be real troubling in a couple of years...

I'll be honest, right now Pilarz reminds me a lot of DiUlio.

I have no specific insight, but given Fr. Wild was well liked and successful, I have to assume the "next guy" will probably struggle to find his place, especially with rich old donors.

"Fr. Wild would never do that!" (etc.)

Not saying there isn't cause for concern (I don't know the specifics), but it could just be some growing pains.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

I have no specific insight, but given Fr. Wild was well liked and successful, I have to assume the "next guy" will probably struggle to find his place, especially with rich old donors.

"Fr. Wild would never do that!" (etc.)

Not saying there isn't cause for concern (I don't know the specifics), but it could just be some growing pains.

Yup - though the guy's fund raising track record is prodigious... raising $100m at Scranton for a new union? The guy knows what he's doing.