Some insight into OU's search from their AD

[MarquetteFan94]

Sounds like his primary candidate(s) are currently busy coaching; which brings the focus to Buzz, Boyle (Colorado) and Marshall (Wichita St.). No real surpises but you can read between the lines.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20110324_92_0_NORMAN959526

[tower912]

They want Buzz.   The only question is, does Buzz want them?   

[Blackhat]

Joe C. sounds like a confident man......ut oh, hope they don't already have something worked out.

[Shack]

Sounds like his primary candidate(s) are currently busy coaching; which brings the focus to Buzz, Boyle (Colorado) and Marshall (Wichita St.). No real surpises but you can read between the lines.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20110324_92_0_NORMAN959526

Wow read between the lines is right.  That guy pretty much said once Marquette is done we'll be announcing Buzz Williams as our next head coach. The word "peripheral" is what worried me the most, even if it was from the author and not the AD.   Part of me wonders if this was a done deal before they fired Capel.  Why get rid of him unless they were sure they could get the guy they wanted.  But based on what Buzz is saying, I still think he stays at Marquette.  

[Blackhat]

If I were Cottingham I'd be talking to Brian Gregory's people, Turgeon's people, and making damn sure we have a back up close to sewn up this time.   Frankly, I wouldn't put it past ANY coach-AD  to already have conditions worked out in season, in today's Jimmy Sexton type dealings of a world.

We don't need to be hung dry again and have slim pickings left.

[MarquetteFan94]

Wow read between the lines is right.  That guy pretty much said once Marquette is done we'll be announcing Buzz Williams as our next head coach. The word "peripheral" is what worried me the most, even if it was from the author and not the AD.   Part of me wonders if this was a done deal before they fired Capel.  Why get rid of him unless they were sure they could get the guy they wanted.  But based on what Buzz is saying, I still think he stays at Marquette.  

My concern is that Buzz was indirectly contacted by OU before the Capel firing also.  Which is also a theory being floated around amongst OU fans.

http://ouhoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21109

[Blackhat]

A (MU) man can hope Buzz is only stringing along OU for a bidding war to ensue after the season ends.

[MarquetteFan94]

If I were Cottingham I'd be talking to Brian Gregory's people, Turgeon's people, and making damn sure we have a back up close to sewn up this time.   Frankly, I wouldn't put it past ANY coach-AD  to already have conditions worked out in season, in today's Jimmy Sexton type dealings of a world.

We don't need to be hung dry again and have slim pickings left.

You'd have to think, especially with the team's success this last week, that Cottingham has to be contingency planning in a major way in terms of assembling a list of potential candidates...even if he has to toss it after Buzz decides to stay or they re-work his contract.

[Blackhat]

I agree 94, the writing is on the wall.  I just hope we are doing more than assembling a list, hell I'll email them a list.  We should be sending out feelers.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Joe C. sounds like a confident man......ut oh, hope they don't already have something worked out.

He's a very confident guy....he's been around a while, spoke at the NACMA conventions back in the day I used to attend....first met him when he was Missouri.  He's a strong AD

[MisterJaylenBrownMU]

Pretty sure there's a 0.0% chance of Buzz having worked out a deal already behind the scenes.  He's not an outright liar (in fact, he's brutally honest, even when it's not the most appropriate), he has no agent, and he said outright just a few days ago that he hasn't talked to anyone about any job openings.

Can we please stop blindly speculating?  

[TJ]

I think a lot of those OU fans are going to be very disappointed in 2 weeks.  Especially the ones that have already changed their avatar to Buzz's picture.

[GGGG]

To play devil's advocate here, but what is the OU guy supposed to say?  "Well, we aren't too sure what our candidates think about OU."  Of course not.  He says he is "confident."  That doesn't really mean anything...it just positions himself well so that Sooner Nation doesn't start to panic.

[Pakuni]

Nothing in that story makes me any more or less concerned about Buzz leaving.
Their AD says he's encouraged? Big deal. What do you expect him to say? He's feeling very sad because his top choices are saying 'No freakin' way!"?

Anyone want to bet that if OU hires someone other than Buzz, their AD will step up the the lectern at his introductory press conference and proclaim the new guy as his number one choice from the start?

[pillardean]

Not sure how you read it.

I read it as an AD talking to over-zealous, close-minded individuals hoping for an elite coach.  Similar to the folk that demanded Miller or Bennet amongst others around here as if the University could just pick the name and they would come.
He really didn't say anything.  Infer what you want.  

[StillAWarrior]

Not sure how you read it.

I read it as an AD talking to over-zealous, close-minded individuals hoping for an elite coach.  Similar to the folk that demanded Miller or Bennet amongst others around here as if the University could just pick the name and they would come.
He really didn't say anything.  Infer what you want.  

Pretty much agree.  All he said is, "we're interested in one or more guys that are still coaching."  Not exactly a news flash, given the fact that they haven't made an offer.

[Blackhat]

Most of these AD's don't say anything during the search, that's what struck me not just the tone.    We heard nothing from Cottingham, I know ND's Swarbrick went underground during the hiring of Brian Kelly.

For the AD to say we've been encouraged and we are waiting for coaches to finish up, reveals a lot about candidates and sets up expectations for who he is targeting.  Comes off, to me, as "I've got nothing to worry about, it's in the bag already."

We'll see, it's all how you want to read things and I can see your other read on it as well.

[MarquetteFan94]

It's not a stretch to think Buzz was thrown a hypothetical from somone connected to OU Athletics saying, "if the OU job becomes available, is that something you would be interested in or at least entertain a conversation."

That doesn't mean a contract is imminent, a deal has been reached, that Buzz would even want the job or to leave MU...but still not a stretch scenario by any means...but would also mean they were interested in Buzz before this NCAA run.

[ErickJD08]

Man, you guys are jumping off the ledge.  Where did it look like a done deal?  Where did it look like there were previous discussions?  The writer simply wrote that Buzz was their lead target.

I think we are fine.  Tons of cash on the table.  We look like a good fit for Buzz and visa versa.  The program is pointing up.  Theirs is pointing down.  I think it would take a lot of money for Buzz to back out. 

[Shack]

Most of these AD's don't say anything during the search, that's what struck me not just the tone.    We heard nothing from Cottingham, I know ND's Swarbrick went underground during the hiring of Brian Kelly.

For the AD to say we've been encouraged and we are waiting for coaches to finish up, reveals a lot about candidates and sets up expectations for who he is targeting.  Comes off, to me, as "I've got nothing to worry about, it's in the bag already."

We'll see, it's all how you want to read things and I can see your other read on it as well.

I agree with Stone Cold.   The AD's response was almost "too confident."  What encourages me though is Buzz's response in another article when he says "I've had some guys try to get to me, but I'm going to address all of this when the season is over"  The word "tried", implies an unsuccessful attempt.  Definitely can see both sides.  But if Buzz does end up going to OU, I'm 100% confident this deal was in the works before Capel was fired.   Truth is no one knows except Buzz.  Either way this will be done quickly after our season ends so until then I'm going to keep enjoying the tourney ride.  

[Pakuni]

Most of these AD's don't say anything during the search, that's what struck me not just the tone.    We heard nothing from Cottingham, I know ND's Swarbrick went underground during the hiring of Brian Kelly.

What about Tennessee and NC State leaking the names of its top candidates?
Wasn't Michigan pretty public in its courting of Les Miles and Jim Harbaugh?
Bama certainly let it be known, over and over again, that it wanted Saban.
Kentucky didn't hold back in its pursuits of Billy Donovan and then Calipari.

I'm sure there are many examples of ADs who've kept things under wraps and just as many of those who were very public in their searches. People are trying to find meaning where there isn't necessarily any.

[Blackhat]

 Either way this will be done quickly after our season ends so until then I'm going to keep enjoying the tourney ride.  

Agreed, MU is in the Sweet Sixteen baby!   It's been 8 years and doesn't feel like yesterday.   This rumor stuff can wait.

[ErickJD08]

What about Tennessee and NC State leaking the names of its top candidates?
Wasn't Michigan pretty public in its courting of Les Miles and Jim Harbaugh?
Bama certainly let it be known, over and over again, that it wanted Saban.
Kentucky didn't hold back in its pursuits of Billy Donovan and then Calipari.

I'm sure there are many examples of ADs who've kept things under wraps and just as many of those who were very public in their searches. People are trying to find meaning where there isn't necessarily any.

HA... You're right.  MAYBE Buzz is really good buddies with the AD and the AD is throwing his name out there so that Buzz can get a bigger paycheck.  You got to love conspiracy theories.

[[Mu]EngiNerd]

talk about freaking out... There is no new information in this article...I don't understand how the AD seems over confident

come on people we are play UNC in the sweet 16 tomorrow....

Buzz is staying.  Oklahoma may be a great school, but they are in a rebuilding phase and looking a potential NCAA sanctions.

I am getting sick of these posts and people freaking out every day a new article comes out.

[TedBaxter]

If I were Cottingham I'd be talking to Brian Gregory's people, Turgeon's people, and making damn sure we have a back up close to sewn up this time.   Frankly, I wouldn't put it past ANY coach-AD  to already have conditions worked out in season, in today's Jimmy Sexton type dealings of a world.

We don't need to be hung dry again and have slim pickings left.

If Buzz does move on this year, one of the first people I call is the VCU AD to get permission to at least discuss what Shaka Smart thinks about the Marquette job.  

He's an intelligent coach who at least to me, has the whole package and maybe the most aspect about him is that he went to school at Oregon High School in the Madison area and is from Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

He's been under some good coaches like Oliver Purnell, Billy Donovan and most of Brad Brownell's top players at Clemson were recruited when Smart was the recruiting coordinator.  His college coach at Kenyon (OH) College was Bill Brown who's been a successful D3 school and he also assisted Keith Dambrot at Akron.  Gets rave reviews from all of his former employers and still has fans in the Madison area.  Is about as close to Buzz in energy, recruiting ability and playing style as I have found right now and it doesn't hurt his resume' that they beat Georgetown and Purdue last weekend.