New AD

[GGGG]

I hope for the best, my only trepidation is that a former NFL player and ND grad will view MU as a stepping stone. Hopefully his time at Portland has him viewing a non-football school as a potential destination and not just a short-term gig.

If he gives five good years and moves on, that is fine.  MU has too many people that never leave.  Fresh blood is a good thing now and then.

[garekis]

Just in case any of you were unsure of just how incestuous college athletics admin is:

Prior to becoming U Portland's AD and right before a short stint in ND's GC/Compliance office, Larry worked at the same Indy law firm as Indiana's and Notre Dame's current ADs.

All in all, I agree with those of you who think this is a good hire, even if Larry has long-term "football school" aspirations.

[GGGG]

I think that law firm does most of the work for the NCAA too.  If so, that is probably a good thing.  Having a lawyer in that position is nice, but unlike our last AD, this one has a background in the law that applies to the position.

[Tulsa Warrior]

Marquette simply needed a little distance from the legal questions of the past school year.  Hiring from inside right now would send the wrong message.  I strongly believe Marquette had more of a PR and process issue than a legal one.

Bringing a high profile attorney with AD and marketing experience is a no brainer.  With multi-million dollar TV deals, mega bucks coaching contracts and realignment -- Marquette needs to lawyer up.  Having someone with a strong background in college and pro football is a major asset.  Larry Williams also has strong ties to another Big East institution – Notre Dame.  That should help communication.

I don't see him as a long term AD at Marquette – just here a number of years to deal with a difficult transition time.  Broeker can learn a great deal from him and end up getting the job on the next go around.  The timing is just not right this time around.
LW reminds me a lot of the Packers CEO Mark Murphy.  Both are former college and pro athletes -- both attorneys and both college athletic directors.  Murphy has been a super hire and so will LW.

[MU1988]

I graduated from MU in 1988 and my brother graduated from ND in 1985.  My brother knew him and said "he was always a nice guy.  He seemed to be the antithesis of an ND football player."  I'm confident we made a good hire.

BTW, I really enjoy this board.

[TomW1365]

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7321720/marquette-golden-eagles-name-former-nfl-player-larry-williams-new-ad

Good luck to the new driver of our bus.

[BobWildLoyalist]

BTW, I really enjoy this board.
[/quote]
+1

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I don't know anything about the guy, but I trust that MU has a good idea what they were looking for. My guess is that question #1 in the interview was:

"With all of the conference realignment occurring, where do you envision Marquette in the next 5 years?"

He must have said something they like and believe.

I love his Portland experience, because he has some love and vision for non-revenue sports, and I think soccer and LAX are going to become increasing important for MU to keep a high profile. Those aren't really high profile sports, but being in the upper echelon will always keep the MU name out there.

[Slim]

Sure he's a great hire, but is he on twitter?

[Golden Avalanche]

in 5 years they will miss their family on the left coast...and the weather.

Good hire in the meantime, though

Really? Miss the weather in Portland?

[Hoopaloop]

Marquette simply needed a little distance from the legal questions of the past school year.  Hiring from inside right now would send the wrong message.  I strongly believe Marquette had more of a PR and process issue than a legal one.

We should find out what the Federal gov't has to say very soon.   Today's Chicago Tribune about the hiring:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-bkc-marquette-newad,0,6697685.story

[MUMac]

Gratuitous cheap reference by the Trib in this article. 

[Skatastrophy]

Gratuitous cheap reference by the Trib in this article. 

... That's the same AP story that ESPN ran.

[MUMac]

... That's the same AP story that ESPN ran.

Really a stupid reference.  It does not tie in the hiring to this.  Just 3 paragraphs that serve no purpose in the article.

[Silkk the Shaka]

We should find out what the Federal gov't has to say very soon.   Today's Chicago Tribune about the hiring:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-bkc-marquette-newad,0,6697685.story

Hmmm... continuous references to year-old allegations at MU while going out of one's way to defend Bo's saintly name... over the top histrionics directed at butchbadger... if it walks like a Chicos and quacks like a Chicos....

[tower912]

It ain't chicos. 

[real chili 83]

TulsaWarrior, I think you nailed it the best of all the posts as to why Williams is a good hire for the position....given the issues and upcoming challenges facing MU athletics.  He looks to be a great hire..... inspite of his Golden Dummer pedigree

Go Warriors!!!

[Lighthouse 84]

I graduated from MU in 1988 and my brother graduated from ND in 1985.  My brother knew him and said "he was always a nice guy.  He seemed to be the antithesis of an ND football player."  I'm confident we made a good hire.

BTW, I really enjoy this board.

Dan?

[Blue Horseshoe]

Why is everyone ragging on the relatively mild weather in Portland. Sure there is a little more precipitation, depending on the time of year,  but it trumps Milwaukee in my book.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/compare/results?from=vac_compare&clocid1=USWI0455&clocid2=USOR0275

Side note, Milwaukee is OVER
http://youtu.be/YlGqN3AKOsA

[GGGG]

We should find out what the Federal gov't has to say very soon.   Today's Chicago Tribune about the hiring:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-bkc-marquette-newad,0,6697685.story

If you're not Chicos, you might as well be his twin...

[tower912]

Chicos fanboy

[Lennys Tap]

If you're not Chicos, you might as well be his twin...

As Socrates had his Plato, so Chicos has his Hoopaloop.

[harigtad]

I know Larry and his family personally from ND he is legit, Marquette should be very happy today!

[The Maestro]

Can't believe the Crean-love in the AP story. I think we've done way more than "sustained our success" under Buzz. Why not bring up KO while you're at it.

[LA]

Why is everyone ragging on the relatively mild weather in Portland. Sure there is a little more precipitation, depending on the time of year,  but it trumps Milwaukee in my book.

Having grown up in the pacific northwest, I would generally agree with you that I prefer the weather there compared to Milwaukee's extremes. They were responding however to someone that said he would miss the weather. So while I think it is slightly better, you won't miss it as if it were southern california weather and have it be the major reason for not staying in Milwaukee.

Looks like a great hire though, I'm really excited about the direction MU athletics seems to be heading.