[PaintTouches]Greska: Larry Williams’ departure is Marquette’s loss

[PaintTouchesSays]

Greska: Larry Williams’ departure is Marquette’s loss

Don't let the timing fool you. The day former president Father Scott Pilarz announced his resignation and was followed by a cadre of his closest advisors, this was set in stone. Larry Williams  wasn't just an athletic director for Marquette, he was also the vice president of the university, reporting directly under Pilarz. He was [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=painttouches.com&blog=28348875&post=9962&subd=painttouches&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Source: Greska: Larry Williams’ departure is Marquette’s loss

[ChicosBailBonds]

Jeff Goodman, aka Buzz's personal pressman, with the non surprising response.  LOL. 



Nice article, be prepared to be attacked. 

[tower912]

I don't disagree with much of this.   Larry was closely allied with Pilarz.   When Pilarz left........

[NersEllenson]

Article is totally contradictory....basically saying Larry is a big loss to MU, when the same article clearly illustrates there was a rift between the most important coaching position in the athletic department  - men's basketball and Larry...

And as for Cottingham....he took the ax on a bad UNIVERSITY policy - he didn't break any university rules....the policy was flawed..

[WarriorDoc]

I don't understand the argument about Larry Williams "leading us" into the Big East.  Yes, he was AD while we reformed the league--to me, that's it.  He did his job.  The only thing that's exceptional about the new conference is the TV deal--much better than expected.  

[Eldon]

Larry Williams didn't lead us into the new Big East, Georgetown did

[tower912]

xghost, is job was to find MU the best fit during the conference re-alignment.   He did it well.   So, yes, he deserves credit for a  job well done.   There is honor in that. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Article is totally contradictory....basically saying Larry is a big loss to MU, when the same article clearly illustrates there was a rift between the most important coaching position in the athletic department  - men's basketball and Larry...

And as for Cottingham....he took the ax on a bad UNIVERSITY policy - he didn't break any university rules....the policy was flawed..

ahem...a policy he approved as General counsel and likely helped write...ahem

[79Warrior]

Greska: Larry Williams’ departure is Marquette’s loss

Don't let the timing fool you. The day former president Father Scott Pilarz announced his resignation and was followed by a cadre of his closest advisors, this was set in stone. Larry Williams  wasn't just an athletic director for Marquette, he was also the vice president of the university, reporting directly under Pilarz. He was [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=painttouches.com&blog=28348875&post=9962&subd=painttouches&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />

Source: Greska: Larry Williams’ departure is Marquette’s loss

News flash, there are many vice-presidents at Marquette, not one. Larry was one of many. virtually every major department has a VP.

[ChicosBailBonds]

News flash, there are many vice-presidents at Marquette, not one. Larry was one of many. virtually every major department has a VP.

He probably meant reporting directly into Pilarz. I assume not all VP's do that, it would be unlikely.  My assumption is that many report into their respective Deans or whatever the command structure is.

[Lennys Tap]

Larry Williams was here for less than two years, for Godsakes. Most of the players who led us to championships in soccer and volleyball were here or committed to MU when Larry arrived. That credit goes to Steve Cottingham, who also gets the credit for hiring Buzz. With time and perspective Marquette will be grateful that they pulled the plug quickly on the failed team Pilarz/LW experiment. That will be their epitaph.

[Dawson Rental]

This seems to be an answer to the question; "Who is the most influential person in the MU athletic Department?"

I can't say that I disagree with the answer.

[MuMark]

MU will be fine without Larry so clearly not a big loss.....

Good luck to him.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Larry Williams was here for less than two years, for Godsakes. Most of the players who led us to championships in soccer and volleyball were here or committed to MU when Larry arrived. That credit goes to Steve Cottingham, who also gets the credit for hiring Buzz. With time and perspective Marquette will be grateful that they pulled the plug quickly on the failed team Pilarz/LW experiment. That will be their epitaph.

I'm glad they cleaned up the mess that was on the Chicago Tribune's front pages and changed policies and hopefully some of the culture.  That, ultimately, should be on their epitaph.   It would not be very good if things went back to the old ways and another major incident like that hit the fan.  One I hope everyone is focused like a laser beam not to have repeat itself again.

You are right that some of those kids were committed.  Does that mean that kids that did commit while he was here did so despite him, or because of him?  Not sure any of those comparisons make sense to begin with.  MU landed in about as good a spot as they could, they took necessary actions to clean up a mess and the teams have been successful.  Sometimes the captain is just along for the ride and gets the credit for doing nothing.  Sometimes it's a bit more than that but folks don't like the captain.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I was a huge Steve Cottingham fan. But with the mess that happened...someone had to go and it was his department. I think Larry Williams did an excellent job as our next AD and I am very sad to see him go. He was the driving force behind the basketball only Big East and helped refurbish our image after the assaults.

I look forward to our next AD continuing what Williams started.

[keefe]

xghost, is job was to find MU the best fit during the conference re-alignment.   He did it well.   So, yes, he deserves credit for a  job well done.   There is honor in that. 

Honor?? Surely you jest!

[tower912]

You don't think there is honor in a job well done?   

[Daniel]

Larry Williams did some gods things for Marqueete - particularly in cleaning up the mess with athletes etc.  But to me, he seemed a fish out of water, and never seemed to fit in.  Just my opinion.

[keefe]

You don't think there is honor in a job well done?   

There is a difference between doing one's job and doing one's job well. The man was fired less than two years into a senior position. Clearly some more senior decision makers felt his performance was wanting. As a six figure donor I am glad he is gone and will consider giving once more.

Honor expresses itself in many ways. But there was nothing "honorable" about Larry Williams' performance as the Marquette AD. I knew the man had questionable leadership when he dressed down his most important direct report through the press. An Air Force officer would have been officially reprimanded for doing something that stupid.

[Lennys Tap]

You are right that some of those kids were committed.  Does that mean that kids that did commit while he was here did so despite him, or because of him?  Not sure any of those comparisons make sense to begin with.  MU landed in about as good a spot as they could, they took necessary actions to clean up a mess and the teams have been successful.  Sometimes the captain is just along for the ride and gets the credit for doing nothing.  Sometimes it's a bit more than that but folks don't like the captain.

My point is simple The juniors and seniors on this year's volleyball and soccer teams were here before Larry arrived. The sophomores had already committed. To give him any credit for those championships is ridiculous, as the foundation was poured by the coaches under the watchful eye of the previous AD. So simply a coincidence. I know you've been a very vocal supporter of Larry in his battles with Buzz. Obviously he has lost the war, having been dismissed after 23 short months. Where do you stand on his dismissal?

[MU B2002]

Jeff Goodman, aka Buzz's personal pressman, with the non surprising response.  LOL. 



Nice article, be prepared to be attacked. 

You could have at least shared it with the class...
Twitter Tracka

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 6h
Wow. Marquette announces athletic director Larry Williams has resigned. My guess is Buzz Williams not shedding a tear on this one

[ChicosBailBonds]

My point is simple The juniors and seniors on this year's volleyball and soccer teams were here before Larry arrived. The sophomores had already committed. To give him any credit for those championships is ridiculous, as the foundation was poured by the coaches under the watchful eye of the previous AD. So simply a coincidence. I know you've been a very vocal supporter of Larry in his battles with Buzz. Obviously he has lost the war, having been dismissed after 23 short months. Where do you stand on his dismissal?

Lenny

I am a vocal supporter of any AD that tries to keep the program on the up and up, that is their job.  Hire good coaches, keep the department pointed in the right direction, be a spokesperson for the program, lay out the long term strategy, etc.  

When you say you shouldn't give him ANY credit, I find that to be more than a bit harsh. When I was at MU and IU, the recruits often met with the AD, to understand how the whole process worked, parents would have questions, etc, etc.  It's a comfort level.  Players commit to schools for many reasons, certainly the coach, but also the school, the philosophy of the program, etc, etc, etc.  It's a package deal, especially when you get into Olympic sports where these kids aren't prima donnas and trying to get into some pro league.

Everyone should have a boss.  So when you say I supported LW vs BW, you aren't being truthful in that sense.  I don't care if Jesus Christ is the head coach, everyone has a boss, a check as it were.  That is my belief, you are free to disagree. Many here have said they want Buzz free to do as he pleases (I'm not exaggerating) without oversight.  Sorry, I don't agree with that viewpoint.  Installing an AD that is merely a yes man is not good either.  This is how programs get in trouble when a coach becomes the de facto head and yields all the power.  It's part of what led Bobby Knight down his demise until a new president came in and said enough.  There are many other examples.  

So I'm for the next AD having power, a check against the coach.  That doesn't mean he roadblocks him, but it means doing things that are common sensical, put the UNIVERSITY in the best position, but still allowing for success of the program.  I do not wish to see an AD that governs over 13 sports while the basketball coach has complete autonomy over his fifedom.  Feel free to disagree.

[ChicosBailBonds]

You could have at least shared it with the class...
Twitter Tracka

Sorry, it was in the Paint Touches article....I should have stated that.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

It's part of what led Bobby Knight down his demise until a new president came in and said enough.

How'd that work out for IU? Unless I'm mistaken they ended up in serious trouble with the NCAA. And theyre still begging Knight to come back for a game...BEGGING HIM!

[Lennys Tap]

Lenny

I am a vocal supporter of any AD that tries to keep the program on the up and up, that is their job.  Hire good coaches, keep the department pointed in the right direction, be a spokesperson for the program, lay out the long term strategy, etc.  

When you say you shouldn't give him ANY credit, I find that to be more than a bit harsh. When I was at MU and IU, the recruits often met with the AD, to understand how the whole process worked, parents would have questions, etc, etc.  It's a comfort level.  Players commit to schools for many reasons, certainly the coach, but also the school, the philosophy of the program, etc, etc, etc.  It's a package deal, especially when you get into Olympic sports where these kids aren't prima donnas and trying to get into some pro league.

Everyone should have a boss.  So when you say I supported LW vs BW, you aren't being truthful in that sense.  I don't care if Jesus Christ is the head coach, everyone has a boss, a check as it were.  That is my belief, you are free to disagree. Many here have said they want Buzz free to do as he pleases (I'm not exaggerating) without oversight.  Sorry, I don't agree with that viewpoint.  Installing an AD that is merely a yes man is not good either.  This is how programs get in trouble when a coach becomes the de facto head and yields all the power.  It's part of what led Bobby Knight down his demise until a new president came in and said enough.  There are many other examples.  

So I'm for the next AD having power, a check against the coach.  That doesn't mean he roadblocks him, but it means doing things that are common sensical, put the UNIVERSITY in the best position, but still allowing for success of the program.  I do not wish to see an AD that governs over 13 sports while the basketball coach has complete autonomy over his fifedom.  Feel free to disagree.

Chicos

I'll give Larry credit for the freshmen on this year's soccer and volleyball teams if you give Steve Cottingham credit for the sophomores, juniors and seniors. But you don't like Steve, so I not surprised you've never mentioned his role.

The whole "everybody needs a boss" mantra is largely a red herring. The argument most of us made was that the new guy on the job shouldn't come out guns blazing against his #1 asset. Question: When Tom Crean went ballistic on that Michigan assistant coach did Fred Glass rip him in the local paper? When Tom Crean was caught making an illegal visit to Gary Harris, did Fred make a public spectacle of it or suspend TC? Does that mean that Glass has no power and Crean has no boss?

Also, it was clear from the start that Fr Pilarz and Larry Williams wanted changes that would make the basketball program less competitive. There's not a basketball coach in the country who wouldn't have objected. The sexual assault or harassment incident was was used as the reason, but the idea that the changes they advocated would would make such instances less likely is specious at best.

I don't want a powerless AD, but I don't want a bull in a china shop who looks for opportunities to flex his muscles and make things difficult for the#1 asset from his most important program. You've praised or defended Larry for 2 years by saying "Buzz needs a boss". That wasn't the question. The question was "Is Larry a good and effective boss?" He was here less than two years, so we know what MU thinks. And you know what I and many others here think. What do you think?