Oregon newspaper says UO has interest in Buzz

[MerrittsMustache]

"It’s not known if Kilkenny has spoken to Williams, but a coach with knowledge of the search said a prominent former coach has been using contacts at Nike to push for Oregon to interview Williams, who reportedly makes about $800,000 in annual salary."

I thought this line was interesting...who might that prominent former coach be?  TC?

I hope you were being sarcastic.

Crean is not a former coach, nor is he all that prominent. Also, why would he want Buzz to go to Oregon? Because he fears he'll have too much success at MU? Seriously, TC has moved on, can't we all do the same?

[babytownfrolics]

If we do give Buzz a huge raise, I would wonder if it would be possible to put a no-compete clause in the contract unless he is fired. Make it so he can't coach at any other Division 1 school for two years, not even as an assistant. I would say the NBA would be fine, but as much as I trust Buzz and have faith in what he says, I also don't know what all was behind the New Orleans situation. It's sad to say, but in this business, it's hard to know whom to trust.

A non-compete like that would be unenforceable.

[mikem91288]

Would be a downgrade for Buzz.

How many Pac-10 teams made the tournament oh yeah that's right, two.

[BrewCity83]

I hope you were being sarcastic.

Crean is not a former coach, nor is he all that prominent. Also, why would he want Buzz to go to Oregon? Because he fears he'll have too much success at MU? Seriously, TC has moved on, can't we all do the same?

Sarcastic, yeah somewhat.  But TC is pretty prominent.  If not him, then who?

[GGGG]

What happens if they offer Buzz 2.4 million? They might be crazy, but heck, so are a lot of people/programs. Would you move for 3 times your current pay, even if it meant leaving a community/job/etc that you loved? Tough choice.

Not really.

[Irv the Working Man]

Since this is all speculation, I am going to speculate on why Buzz will stay at Marquette.  

Buzz is a religious man.  If you have followed any of his public discussions about Marquette, basketball, life etc. - he integrates religion and faith.  If Buzz were to leave for a large government university, he may be limited in what he can say and do in regards to faith and building young men, not just ball players.

Thus, I think that Buzz wants to be at MU because it gives him this freedom.  If Buzz would leave MU, I tend to think he would go to SMU or TCU or another private institution.  Being that MU is one of the top religious affiliated basketball programs in the country and that the Jesuits are not going to micromanage his faith or or demand specific doctrine, MU is a pretty good fit.  

I also think that this is a differentiator for Buzz when recruiting - especially with parents.  When Badger fans scratch their heads and wonder why a kid would choose MU over the great socialist empire and Bo Ryan, it may just be that Mom and Dad want their son in a program that is about more than just basketball.

Isn't this why many of us chose MU?

[cheebs09]

Was Gillespie a Nike guy? I guess he would qualify as a former coach. Either way I agree with those that have said the author seems to just assume that Buzz is interested. I could see money being the issue, but from all accounts Buzz has said he is fine with his salary and doesn't even have an agent because he trusts Marquette. I'm sure you have to take that with a grain of salt and it might just be what you say to the media, but he seems very genuine. I guess I think the interest is being more fabricated than Buzz being super interested in the job. I guess I'm a tad worried, but the only way I'd really be worried is if I read somewhere that Buzz contacted them.

[79Warrior]

Sarcastic, yeah somewhat.  But TC is pretty prominent.  If not him, then who?

A former coach is someone who is now out of the business. The TC link is inane.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Seriously, TC has moved on, can't we all do the same?

The hell he has.  Tweets, MU big heads like Wade and Rivers in Assembly Hall, Cords and Strong behind the IU bench...sure that absolute Facecake has moved on.

[goodgreatgrand]

Would be a downgrade for Buzz.

How many Pac-10 teams made the tournament oh yeah that's right, two.

Be careful. The PAC -10 is one of the conferences that is actually expanding!! ....because their model works. Who cares about one season, anyways? The PAC10 has a difinitive future, something the BE doesnt possess.

[Tom Crean's Tanning Bed]

The scary thing about Oregon is the Nike financial backing that goes with it. I can easily see Oregon doubling or even tripling Buzz's current pay.

Oregon is getting a bit desperate. Nike is getting a bit desperate. Eventually, they will realize that the only real pull they have is $$$.

What happens if they offer Buzz 2.4 million? They might be crazy, but heck, so are a lot of people/programs. Would you move for 3 times your current pay, even if it meant leaving a community/job/etc that you loved? Tough choice.

Do we even really know what Marquette is paying Buzz right now?  Yeah, I know the article says $800K, but who says that figure hasn't been increased?

Remember, the M.O. with Buzz at MU is to keep things close to the vest.  So it's entirely possible (and likely) that Buzz has already gotten a significant raise or extention, and he/MU have chosen just to not brag about it like they'd do with TC every other year.

[Ari Gold]

How many more of these stories do you think we are going to hear about?

Let's be honest, Outside of Wisconsin? UNC, Duke, MSU and a few other top BE/25 teams, how many schools would want to have Buzz coaching their program? He was/is a diamond in the rough and there has to be a level of jealousy that MU was so blessed to get an internal hire with him while so many other teams get caught with their dick in their hands when a coach leaves. Buzz leaving MU is just going to be a sports writer/College Basketball fan's pipe dream for a long time.

[MerrittsMustache]

The hell he has.  Tweets, MU big heads like Wade and Rivers in Assembly Hall, Cords and Strong behind the IU bench...sure that absolute Facecake has moved on.

Is Tom Crean still employed by Marquette University? No, he left for Indiana. Therefore, he has moved on.

[Tugg Speedman]

The scary thing about Oregon is the Nike financial backing that goes with it. I can easily see Oregon doubling or even tripling Buzz's current pay.

Oregon is getting a bit desperate. Nike is getting a bit desperate. Eventually, they will realize that the only real pull they have is $$$.

What happens if they offer Buzz 2.4 million? They might be crazy, but heck, so are a lot of people/programs. Would you move for 3 times your current pay, even if it meant leaving a community/job/etc that you loved? Tough choice.

I love how people cavalierly spend other people's money.  If UO is willing to spend $2.4 million, they would be interviewing Self, Roy Williams and Izzo.  

Do you have any idea how much money this is?  DePaul was making noise that were going to spend big bucks, and they did.  They spent $1.6 on Purnell.  You think UO is going to give a coach with two years BE experience, never finishing above 5th, and 1 and 2 in the NCAA that kind of money?  You're nuts.

Don't get me wrong.  I LOVE Buzz and badly want him to stay.  But another school without the emotional attachment to Buzz would be out of their mind to spend money like this on that resume.

Side thought ... It seems like one way or another Jamil Wilson and Buzz are destine to be together.

[HoopsMalone]

Buzz is not going to Oregon.  He does not need the reputation of being a journeyman headcoach who makes 1-2 year pitstops and then moves on.  Marquette fits Buzz like a glove.  Great hoops tradition and it gives him the forum to express his views freely.  Oregon is not necessarily a step up in recruiting.  There is nothing about Oregon that makes the job appealing.  If Buzz is worried about conference re-alignment, he will be fine to find a place when it happens if needed.

Buzz has said that he will be at MU for as long as MU will have him.  There is nothing to suggest that Buzz BS's anyone.  I know it is possible that he will leave, but I think it would have to be a dream scenario for Buzz.  Oregon is not a dream scenario. 

I am a little offended sometimes that people think they can poach another high major coach.  In the all-time basketball rankings, I would think that Marquette is ahead of Oregon.  MU has Al and D-wade.

[icheights]

I believe it is also worth mentioning that Buzz has no contacts out west he is a southern fella (with some midwest ties now).  IMO it would be very difficult to recruit texas and florida (williams/jones) to come all the way out to Oregon...Just food for thought...I also wanted to ask when did we stop giving people the benefit of the doubt...Buzz williams has my trust and its hard to see him moving on when this program seems to be on the perfect track for the final four within the next 2-4 years.

[MerrittsMustache]

Buzz is not going to Oregon.  He does not need the reputation of being a journeyman headcoach who makes 1-2 year pitstops and then moves on.  Marquette fits Buzz like a glove.  Great hoops tradition and it gives him the forum to express his views freely.  Oregon is not necessarily a step up in recruiting.  There is nothing about Oregon that makes the job appealing.  If Buzz is worried about conference re-alignment, he will be fine to find a place when it happens if needed.

Nothing appealing? Really?!? Oregon has a beautiful campus, a state-of-the-art basketball arena opening this season, Nike connections, filthy rich boosters, a huge athletics budget, and three unsigned top 30 recruits who are all still considering Oregon despite the program being without a coach. I'd say that's a pretty good start.

I'm obviously not saying Buzz is going there, but to say the job has no appeal would be incorrect.

[Soulcoughin]

Yes the Oregon job isn't very appealing. 

--a brand new arena with separate practice courts set to open next season
--excellent salary
--top of the line athletic & training facilities
--brand new study center just opened this year for athletes only
--Pac-10 conference, though down this year, is traditionally a good basketball conference
--Steve Prefontaine
--Oregon Cheerleaders...

http://cheer.uoregon.edu/multimedia/images/2006altonbaker/index.html

[Windyplayer]

I wondered if/when they would get to Buzz.  Buzz is making more than $800k.  I doubt he goes, but if he does, good luck and thank you for your hard work at MU.

Really? Thank you for using our program as a steppingstone and moving on? Is that all you think of our program?

[nyg]

For those of you in the Milwaukee area, has this story/rumor made the airwaves or media?  Maybe there will be a denial to go along with it.

[4everwarriors]

Nah, we're still working on the rightful return of the Warriors' nickname.

[GOO]

Maybe I'm naive, but I am not worried one bit.  Buzz isn't about glamore and money.  I really believe that and I believe him when he says that he will be here.  Just look at his actions and I've never been around a coach who actually takes interest in everyone including the fans.  If you get a chance to meet him, you'll know what I mean.  He will be loyal.  I don't think he will be moving around the country for the next great job with his family.  He has found a home and will be paid well, even tough he isn't about the money. 

At least this will get it out there that Buzz is staying at Marquette for a long time, once he doesn't have interest in the job.

I have not heard any buzz about this in the media.  Probably because Buzz isn't interested and most here don't think he is going.

[MarquetteFan94]

Yes the Oregon job isn't very appealing. 

--a brand new arena with separate practice courts set to open next season
--excellent salary
--top of the line athletic & training facilities
--brand new study center just opened this year for athletes only
--Pac-10 conference, though down this year, is traditionally a good basketball conference
--Steve Prefontaine
--Oregon Cheerleaders...

http://cheer.uoregon.edu/multimedia/images/2006altonbaker/index.html

I'm not sure anyone said the UO job was unappealing but compared to Marquette Basketball....well, there is no comparison.

We have a nice practice facility ($31M) of our own that other schools come to visit....with a dedicated study center for the athletes. 

MU spends more than any other Big East school on basketball...which includes coach salaries.

Perenially in the top 20 in attendance...last year #10.

MU has 28 NCAA appearances, UO has 10.

Pre....who cares?  I'm thinking Dwyane Wade may be more relevant for this discussion.

Everybody's asleep by the time the Pac 10 games are played.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Everybody's asleep DURING PAC 10 games

[4everwarriors]

What difference does it make whatever we think. You can spin this in any number of ways to fit an agenda. We don't know what makes Buzz tick, nor what has gone down to piss him off or make him happy. Who knows? Maybe his family has input. Are you choosing to stay put if your family doesn't dig where you work, especially if you're in demand? Maybe the sweet tea is better in Oregon? Maybe he has concerns with whomever is the next MU president? Maybe this and maybe that. Just sayin'.

And, maybe Buzz is just what he says he is and has laid out all his cards, digs MKE and will be the head coach until the Warriors nickname is returned.