Crean contacted Iowa when Alford left....

[LON]

Ding ding


I have no doubt his agent inquired, because that's what agents do.  We deal with them on a daily basis and they're sharks at the highest order.  That is their job, to push, inquire, feign interest, etc, because it means more money for their client and more money for the agent.

As I mentioned a few years ago here, you guys would have been blown away at the names of coaches that inquired about the 1999 MU job when Deane was let go.  But a closer inspection of those names showed that most of those coaches did so for only one purpose.... to prop up their own current deals. 

It's the game that is played.  Maybe Buzz won't play that game....wonderful for us.

Well, one strike in the positive column is that Buzz has no "shark" to play that game.  He'll have to do it on his own.

[MerrittsMustache]

Who cares? It was obvious that Crean was trying to move on to (in his mind) bigger and better things. I had no problem with him taking a job at one of the most revered basketball programs in the country. The main problem I had was with the Baltimore Colt-ish way that he left. In the end though, he's gone and we all need to move on.

Besides, it has worked out tremendously for Marquette so far. Buzz Williams appears to be an outstanding recruiter and an even better person. He is a great face for the university. Crean also left the program with the Al, a place in the Big East, three outstanding senior guards, and the memories of D-Wade and the Final Four run. TC got Marquette back on the map, but then plateaued. Buzz appears to be picking up where Crean left off and will hopefully be taking MU to new heights.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

You're also not the CEO of the company. You're not making 5 to 7 times more than the next highest employee. You probably don't have a long term contract. Comparing your situation to Crean's is absurd.

We'll agree to disagree.

I don't think the amount of $ really changes the ethics or morality of the situation.

I would try to do the same thing... if I thought I could. In fact, if I was a contract employee, I'd be pushing even harder (lifespan of a coach can be pretty short).

Now, with this said, I can't really defend the guy because MU was very loyal to him and had offered him very competitive contracts (in terms of length and amount).

[PE8983]

Iowa's pay wasn't set at $1.2M, that was only what they paid Lickliter.  They were going to offer Stalling's $1.5M.  Maybe TC inquired to see what they would offer him?

[wojosdojo]

I think Buzz was paid just over 400K as an assistant. Assuming its over the Mil. mark, how much does he get paid now?

[Tugg Speedman]

Who is Crean's agent and what is his history?

Chicos is right ... if you have an agent, they make calls on your behalf without asking.  Then if another school is interested and the money is right, the agent calls you to twist your arm to take it.

Was Crean's name always rumored for every opening because that is what he told his agent to do, call everyone, and not tell him so he could deny it?

[Canadian Dimes]

My understanding is Iowa contacted him....and he turned down the job.

Think about it. Iowa hired Lickliter for 1.2 mil a year. Crean made quite a bit more then that at MU and you guys think he pursued a job to take a substantial pay cut?


You don't have to like Crean to see this doesn't pass the smell test.

Wrong Crean inquired...Iowa was not interested.

[Skatastrophy]

I think Buzz was paid just over 400K as an assistant. Assuming its over the Mil. mark, how much does he get paid now?

It's not a published number but in a story about Buzz today Todd Rosiak estimated that Buzz makes about $1million in base salary.

[tower912]

Didn't Crean get another raise in 07?    Feels like one of those fishing expeditions to see how much the job paid and possibly drive up his own salary.    Also, remember that while Crean/representatives were contacting Iowa, Crean was turning down $2 mil from Arkansas.   This just doesn't have the feel of a serious interest, IMO.

[MuMark]

"Wrong Crean inquired...Iowa was not interested."

Incorrect.

[The Lens]

"Wrong Crean inquired...Iowa was not interested."

Incorrect.

So you're saying your source is better than the documents recovered via the Freedom of Information Act?  It's possible, we're relying on AD's and their staff to remember exactly who they contacted and who contacted them but the documents state they were contacted by Crean's reps.  You may be right, but your source contradicts what Iowa documented.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

So you're saying your source is better than the documents recovered via the Freedom of Information Act?  It's possible, we're relying on AD's and their staff to remember exactly who they contacted and who contacted them but the documents state they were contacted by Crean's reps.  You may be right, but your source contradicts what Iowa documented.

He doesn't have a source.

[The Lens]

He doesn't have a source.

His name is MU Mark but I bet he's former Bears OL Mark Bortz. Played with Jim Harbaugh, went to Iowa.  It all makes perfect sense.  Bortz has to have college aged kids by now, prob has a kid at MU.

Remember when you need to know anything ask a Harbaugh.  They'll tell sports radio about their brother in law taking a job before even Fr Wild knows.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Who is Crean's agent and what is his history?

Chicos is right ... if you have an agent, they make calls on your behalf without asking.  Then if another school is interested and the money is right, the agent calls you to twist your arm to take it.

Was Crean's name always rumored for every opening because that is what he told his agent to do, call everyone, and not tell him so he could deny it?

Yup....that's their job, it's what they do....isn't it ironic that Rick Majerus' name was named for just about every opening for a decade and yet again, the double standard here.....nothing but love for Rick despite leaving MU, despite looking for jobs all the time (maybe if Crean sat on players, took dumps in towels and made ball boys dispose of them he would face a better fate)

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

His name is MU Mark but I bet he's former Bears OL Mark Bortz. Played with Jim Harbaugh, went to Iowa.  It all makes perfect sense.  Bortz has to have college aged kids by now, prob has a kid at MU.

Remember when you need to know anything ask a Harbaugh.  They'll tell sports radio about their brother in law taking a job before even Fr Wild knows.

Swear to God, Mark Bortz threatened to kick my ass in the Avalanche one time. He and his buddies where in their playing pool and he tried to take credit for some slop, much to my chagrin. That guy was a monster!

[MuMark]

As far as who contacted who first it could have been Crean's agent reaching out and then Iowa contacting him.

Here is what I know....Crean could have had the Iowa job....he passed...not the other way around.

Are you trying to tell me that Crean wasn't good enough for Iowa but a year later was good enough for Indiana?

Its no secret that Crean was always looking around. I'm not defending him.....He is gone and I couldn't be happier with Buzz.

Facts are just the facts.....He turned down Arkansas and he turned down Iowa. Illinois was more complicated....they reached out...he told them what he wanted as far as money and control......they said thanks but no thanks.

2 years later and we are still talking about Tom Crean..........  

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Here is what I know....Crean could have had the Iowa job....he passed...not the other way around.

According to who? Crean? He's certainly somebody to be believed.

Illinois passed on Crean when they met him...not when they heard his demands.

[LON]

As far as who contacted who first it could have been Crean's agent reaching out and then Iowa contacting him.

Here is what I know....Crean could have had the Iowa job....he passed...not the other way around.

Are you trying to tell me that Crean wasn't good enough for Iowa but a year later was good enough for Indiana?

Its no secret that Crean was always looking around. I'm not defending him.....He is gone and I couldn't be happier with Buzz.

Facts are just the facts.....He turned down Arkansas and he turned down Iowa. Illinois was more complicated....they reached out...he told them what he wanted as far as money and control......they said thanks but no thanks.

2 years later and we are still talking about Tom Crean..........  

Can I have your autograph Mr. Bortz?  Are you friends with 1946-47 team captain Charles Polzin?

[ChicosBailBonds]

2 years later and we are still talking about Tom Crean..........  

They're just getting warmed up.....my guess is there is a direct correlation with misery of said coach and amount of discussion.  In other words, if IU starts winning there will be less and less discussion.  If he continues to struggle, then 2 years will be the tip of the ice burg.

Some people enjoy the misery of others.

[MUBurrow]

Swear to God, Mark Bortz threatened to kick my ass in the Avalanche one time. He and his buddies where in their playing pool and he tried to take credit for some slop, much to my chagrin. That guy was a monster!

That kind of stuff is what makes MU great. Just big enough to get lost in - unless you want to.  Its sweet to go to a place where you can brag about a guy threatening you in a bar over pool, and everyone knows who you're talking about like its an inside joke, yet its a totally obscure reference.

I love that sh*t.

(PS I'm realizing this sounds like some cocky crackback, but its not at all. I really think its cool. I'm just not sure how to write a post praising how ridiculous yet cool it all is without the post sounding ridiculous in turn.)

[Fullodds]

If he continues to struggle he will be looking for a job.

  If he continues to struggle, then 2 years will be the tip of the ice burg.

[TallTitan34]

Some people enjoy the misery of others.

I enjoy the misery of Indiana not of Crean.  In fact I hope things get 1000 times worse for IU.  This is what happens when you hire a PROVEN scumbag like Kelvin Sampson.  Everything that happens to them they brought on themselves.

Crean just happens to be there. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

If he continues to struggle he will be looking for a job.

Yes, eventually that would be the case.  It's a profession where you're hired to be fired....very few escape that inevitable ending....or they move along before the posse gets to town.

[Canadian Dimes]

According to who? Crean? He's certainly somebody to be believed.

Illinois passed on Crean when they met him...not when they heard his demands.

So did Kyrie Irving

[Lennys Tap]

They're just getting warmed up.....my guess is there is a direct correlation with misery of said coach and amount of discussion.  In other words, if IU starts winning there will be less and less discussion.  If he continues to struggle, then 2 years will be the tip of the ice burg.

Some people enjoy the misery of others.

Nobody on this board has has anywhere near the amount of "Tom Crean" posts as you. When he was 3-3 in conference this year you were positively giddy. Imagine how often you'd be on here singing his praises if he wasn't 5-33 vs Big Ten competition. You'd have easily cracked the 10,000 number for posts.