who will last longer at his current job?

[ecompt]

Buzz or TC?
If you asked me before the season I would said Crean in a heartbeat, but not I'm not so sure. While MU's future looks bright, another year of blowouts at IU and the faithful will be screaming.

[Aughnanure]

this requires a poll for scientific analysis

[Benny B]

Buzz or TC?
If you asked me before the season I would said Crean in a heartbeat, but not I'm not so sure. While MU's future looks bright, another year of blowouts at IU and the faithful will be screaming.

Who are these "IU Faithfuls" you speak of?  All I've seen since 2000 is a bunch of bandwagon jumpers.

[downtown85]

Buzz will stay as long as MU will have him.  Buzz has said on numerous occasions that as long as he is not kicked out, he is staying at MU.  Now, one could argue that he's just saying that because that is what the fans/administration wants to hear and there is no upside in saying anything differently but I would argue that that is not his style.  I think, at this time, he truly believes that.

Things change and who knows what the future will bring, but the gig he has now suits him perfectly for the following reasons:

--  Resources. MU provides lots of resources, whether it be chartered jets, top notch facilities
--  High Profile Program.  He is building on a pretty high base in the best conference.
--  Pay.  MU will pay him what he is worth.
--  Faith. This is not to be underestmated.  Buzz seems pretty devout (even though he isn't catholic).  I would say that the Christian aspect to the school appeals to him alot and allows him to be unrestrained in an important part of his life.
-- Intangibles The University mission which preaches service and excellence meshes well with his team first coaching philosophy.  He is also given the freedom to pursue projects like Buzz's Bunch.

One thing to think about is Buzz's approach to the program and his ego.  When it came time to do the coach's television show he refused the name of "The Buzz Williams Show" but instead named it "The Marquette Basketball Hour with Buzz Williams."  

I just don't see him getting fired anytime soon.  I also don't see him leaving for greener pastures anytime soon either.  I do think that if his success continues he will get offers but I do not see ANY program right now as being greener for him. (however,  I am not privy to his unspoken inner thoughts.)

Regarding the old coach, I don't know and really don't care.  

[lurch91]

Well said downtown85.

[mu-rara]

Buzz will stay as long as MU will have him.  Buzz has said on numerous occasions that as long as he is not kicked out, he is staying at MU.  Now, one could argue that he's just saying that because that is what the fans/administration wants to hear and there is no upside in saying anything differently but I would argue that that is not his style.  I think, at this time, he truly believes that.

Things change and who knows what the future will bring, but the gig he has now suits him perfectly for the following reasons:

--  Resources. MU provides lots of resources, whether it be chartered jets, top notch facilities
--  High Profile Program.  He is building on a pretty high base in the best conference.
--  Pay.  MU will pay him what he is worth.
--  Faith. This is not to be underestmated.  Buzz seems pretty devout (even though he isn't catholic).  I would say that the Christian aspect to the school appeals to him alot and allows him to be unrestrained in an important part of his life.
-- Intangibles The University mission which preaches service and excellence meshes well with his team first coaching philosophy.  He is also given the freedom to pursue projects like Buzz's Bunch.

One thing to think about is Buzz's approach to the program and his ego.  When it came time to do the coach's television show he refused the name of "The Buzz Williams Show" but instead named it "The Marquette Basketball Hour with Buzz Williams."  

I just don't see him getting fired anytime soon.  I also don't see him leaving for greener pastures anytime soon either.  I do think that if his success continues he will get offers but I do not see ANY program right now as being greener for him. (however,  I am not privy to his unspoken inner thoughts.)

Regarding the old coach, I don't know and really don't care.  

I hope we are not naive about Buzz's dedication to MU.  I'm sure he is dedicated to MU.  If he hasn't gotten alot of attention before, he doesn't understand the allure.  If he gets a big offer, it could change him.  Hope not.

[Litehouse]

If Crean eventually gets the boot at IU, then Buzz will have direct examples of the two biggest name coaches he has worked with (Crean and Gillespie) jumping for the high profile job and flaming out badly.  That has to influence him that staying in a long-term stable job at Marquette might be a good idea.

[MUBurrow]

the potential for failure is part of what makes those jobs so intriguing to coaches. high risk, high reward.  i think that although Buzz may sincerely believe he'll stay as long as we'll have him, that doesn't mean its a till death do us part matrimony.  things happen, and if Buzz has enough success to draw bigger programs, we'll have to hold our breath just like we would with any other coach.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

If Crean eventually gets the boot at IU, then Buzz will have direct examples of the two biggest name coaches he has worked with (Crean and Gillespie) jumping for the high profile job and flaming out badly.  That has to influence him that staying in a long-term stable job at Marquette might be a good idea.

Now this is a GREAT point!

[MU gimp ONE]

i for one, can't wait till buzz gets his name mentioned for a "bigger" job.  i want to see how he handles it.  my thoughts and hopes going off of how he has handled everything to this point, would be that he right away comes out and shoots it down.  nothing pissed me off more about crean (and i was a crean supporter) than how he used to drag out the drama once his name got mentioned.  then crean would say something like "i knew all along i wasn't going to leave."  then why not say it right away you drama queen?

plus, the first mention of buzz to a job opening means that Marquette legitimately did find a diamond in the rough.

[jficke13]

downtown nailed it; Buzz could be just saying he'll stay as long as MU will have him, but that just seems to be so far afield from the character he presents it's hard to believe he's not being truthful.

[Aughnanure]

If Crean eventually gets the boot at IU, then Buzz will have direct examples of the two biggest name coaches he has worked with (Crean and Gillespie) jumping for the high profile job and flaming out badly.  That has to influence him that staying in a long-term stable job at Marquette might be a good idea.

Very good point I didn't even think about. Now an even better reason to root for Crean to flame out badly and embarrassingly.

[flash]

I would absolutley LOVE to see Marquette play Indiana next year.  All of Tom Crean's players would be gone (Lazar, Acker, Cubey). It would be just Buzz's players vs. Crean's players.  Marquette blowing out Indiana would just be awesome to see.  We would win with a no name coach with a school with far less prestige and recruting tools. Wow... that would be a great feeling. 

[Tulsa Warrior]

I'll take Buzz at his word until proven otherwise.  He has repeatedly made a stronger statement on this issue than either Crean or O'Neill ever did.  You're right.  A key test is how he deals with it when his name is floated by Dickie V or the ESPN (tic) experts.  If Buzz makes a Sherman like statement it reaffirms what he has said all along.  As a former broadcaster there comes a time when I said enough with moving around.  I put down roots and made a pretty good life.  I wonder if some coaches do the same thing?  Many times the brass ring is fools gold.  

[ChicosBailBonds]

It all comes down to the 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes.  It's really that simple.  When IU had Creek earlier this year, they were beating teams like Pittsburgh, Creek was throwing up 31 on Kentucky, etc.

When he blew his knee out, it was all over.  Totally different team. The 2011 and 2012 Indiana state talent is absolutely loaded.  They will have to land a few of those kids.  If they do, they'll be fine.  If they don't, he'll be gone.

As for Buzz, he has a different scenario...he's going to have to prove he can do it without Crean's players over the next few years.  If he does, then he'll be here for the long haul (hopefully, I'm sick of MU coaches leaving after 5 years).  If he doesn't, then he'll be gone, too.   

[TallTitan34]

Very well done downtown85.

I would also add on to your reasons for to to stay.  Going along with your resource mention, Marquette has no football making baksetball the number one priority for the athletic department.

[NersEllenson]

It all comes down to the 2011 and 2012 recruiting classes.  It's really that simple.  When IU had Creek earlier this year, they were beating teams like Pittsburgh, Creek was throwing up 31 on Kentucky, etc.

When he blew his knee out, it was all over.  Totally different team. The 2011 and 2012 Indiana state talent is absolutely loaded.  They will have to land a few of those kids.  If they do, they'll be fine.  If they don't, he'll be gone.

As for Buzz, he has a different scenario...he's going to have to prove he can do it without Crean's players over the next few years.  If he does, then he'll be here for the long haul (hopefully, I'm sick of MU coaches leaving after 5 years).  If he doesn't, then he'll be gone, too.   

Let's get real for a minute - the only player of real value MU will lose from Tom Crean is Lazar.  Mo and Cooby have done great for MU this year, and with Buzz's coaching have maximized their talent for sure - but losing these Cooby and MO and replacing them with more prototypical guards shouldn't be too tough.  I'd have to believe that out of Vander, Reggie, Newbill or Cadougan - we shouldn't have much of a drop off from Mo and Cooby - even in these players freshman years.

[Blackhat]

I don't take coaches at their word especially regarding their feelings toward their job.

Way too many college coaches say the right things till the shiny offer comes along.

I've been a Buzz supporter since April 1, 2008 but nobody knows the true character of Buzz regarding job ambition or his motivations except probably those closest to him.  

[NCMUFan]

Don't forget this isn't Buzz's first head coaching job.  He was at New Orleans.  Hence, he probably realizes the great situation he has at Marquette.

[NotAnAlum]

I think Chicos is right and TC has Indiana headed in the right direction.  I think he will get some of that Indiana talent and due to the School reputation he'll do OK in recruiting.  They'll be much more competitive next year.  The problem for TC at IU will be each point he reaches will then be considered the minimum acceptable next year.  Unless IU has been humbled by this whole coaching mess they've been through they will soon expect to compete for the Big 10 title and deep tournament runs.  You have to be a top 1% coach to hold to those expectations and while I don't think TC is a bad coach I'm not sure he is an elite coach either.  
I think the MU fans are much more forgiving.  If Buzz is competitive in the BE and goes to the tournament 3/4 of the time provided he doesn't lose every first round game he will be able to stay as long as he wants.  I also don't think Buzz will be revered as a coaching genius to the point where a truly elite program will come after him.  And as a BE coach I would think it would have to be an elite program.  Texas is the one that jumps out at me but Barnes seems to be happy there and he is pretty young.

[TallTitan34]

Recruits are going to quit caring about the storied program that is Indiana.

Indiana hasn't been consistantly good since the late 80's/early 90's.  Why would a recuit give a damn about how good a program was 20 years ago before he was even born?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Let's get real for a minute - the only player of real value MU will lose from Tom Crean is Lazar.  Mo and Cooby have done great for MU this year, and with Buzz's coaching have maximized their talent for sure - but losing these Cooby and MO and replacing them with more prototypical guards shouldn't be too tough.  I'd have to believe that out of Vander, Reggie, Newbill or Cadougan - we shouldn't have much of a drop off from Mo and Cooby - even in these players freshman years.

From a talent perspective, you are correct.  From a leadership perspective, I think you're selling short the value of seniors at the guard position.  There's a reason why we have so few turnovers...senior guards.  Lazar will be brutally tough to replace.

[MU1984]

If Buzz leaves for a high profile gig then we went far in the NCAA's so its a worthwhile trade, IMO.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Recruits are going to quit caring about the storied program that is Indiana.

Indiana hasn't been consistantly good since the late 80's/early 90's.  Why would a recuit give a damn about how good a program was 20 years ago before he was even born?

That's what kids used to say about Marquette, too.  Until someone like TC came and changed that.  That's the same thing they are looking for him to do at IU.

[Brewtown Andy]

Recruits are going to quit caring about the storied program that is Indiana.

Indiana hasn't been consistantly good since the late 80's/early 90's.  Why would a recuit give a damn about how good a program was 20 years ago before he was even born?

And they obviously don't give a crap about guaranteed playing time at a Big Ten school, at least this specific Big Ten school.

In any case, Crean's not going anywhere for several years.  Indiana gave him an immediate extension when they realized how bad it actually was, and they're not going to eat 6 or 7 years of his contract, not to mention firing him after not being able to dig out of that hole in 3 years is going to make everyone not want to go anywhere near that job.