Why did Crean Hire Buzz?

[Tugg Speedman]

I was talking to another scooper at the DePaul game and he asked "why did Crean hire Buzz?"  It was a serious question.  By all indications they did not know each other before Buzz was hired as an assistant in 2007.

Given all the discussion here, I do not recall anyone explaining how an unemployed former head coach of New Orleans (and was involved in a lawsuit) managed to get Crean to take him as an assistant in 2007.  99% of the discussion here starts with Buzz getting hired in April 2008 or discusses his background from growing up in Texas through New Orleans.  Their seems to be a hole in this discussion around 2007.

Can anyone enlighten?

[WI inferiority Complexes]

I understand this doesn't directly answer anything, but from Crean:

"I've admired Buzz Williams' work from a far for some time and have grown to appreciate it even more as I've gotten to know him over the last year," Crean said. "Adding a person of his character, integrity and talent to our staff means a great deal to me. "I know our players, fans and future recruits will all feel the same way," Crean added. "Adding Buzz to Bennie Seltzer, Tim Buckley and Brian Barone, gives us a staff I'm really excited to compete with in the Big East and nationally."

[UticaBusBarn]

According to Todd, at the time, Coach Williams was hired because he was considered very talented at recruiting, particularly in the south-west. There was no mention of the legal action until he was hired as head coach. (I would like to know the story of how and why he was hired.)

So, on the surface, it all had to do with Coach Williams' ability to bring talent to Marquette ... something he has done very, very well, over the years!

[GGGG]

He wasn't an unemployed coach when he was hired.  He was the head coach at UNO when he took the job here.

[MUMBA]

He did really well recruiting at Colorado State and Texas A&M   Both schools ended some long tourney droughts with the players he recruited. 

[MarsupialMadness]

Crean on the hire:

"Everywhere he's been he's left the program in better shape than it was, and he's done the same at New Orleans," Crean said. "He has earned his reputation as one of the best recruiters and best young coaches in this business."

"I want coaches that recruits are attracted to, our own players want to work with and ones that athletic directors and other coaches want to hire," Crean said. "I don't want to be around people that aren't wanted. Change is part of the business and you can either run with it or try to deny those things come up."

I don't think there was any direct link between the two, Crean just wanted a coach with a strong reputation of recruiting.

[MarsupialMadness]

He did really well recruiting at Colorado State and Texas A&M   Both schools ended some long tourney droughts with the players he recruited. 

+1

He was a key player in the recruting of DeAndre Jordan to A&M.

[RubyWiscy]

Despite the Crean hate here, he really did a ton of good things for the MU program. Buzz was just the icing on the cake.  Well, that and the Big East affiliation.

[4everwarriors]

No one else was willin' to work for that sumbitch, T-Cubed.

[Windyplayer]

I understand this doesn't directly answer anything, but from Crean:

"I've admired Buzz Williams' work from a far for some time and have grown to appreciate it even more as I've gotten to know him over the last year," Crean said. "Adding a person of his character, integrity and talent to our staff means a great deal to me. "I know our players, fans and future recruits will all feel the same way," Crean added. "Adding Buzz to Bennie Seltzer, Tim Buckley and Brian Barone, gives us a staff I'm really excited to compete with in the Big East and nationally."

This quote encapsulates the essence of Tom Crean.

[tower912]

He felt he had hit his ceiling with recruiting at MU.   Buzz had a reputation as a great recruiter.    He filled what he perceived to be a need.   

[willie warrior]

Despite the Crean hate here, he really did a ton of good things for the MU program. Buzz was just the icing on the cake.  Well, that and the Big East affiliation.

Yep--never was a big fan of the tanned one, but his hire of Buzz was a good move, and Crean does deserve kudos for that. The way he left though was a huge douche stain.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Buzz wanted out after one year, Crean needed an excellent recruiter.  Chocolate plus peanut butter = Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

[chapman]

He felt he had hit his ceiling with recruiting at MU.   Buzz had a reputation as a great recruiter.    He filled what he perceived to be a need.   

/thread

[4everwarriors]

Buzz wanted out after one year, Crean needed an excellent recruiter.  Chocolate plus peanut butter = Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

Who's who here? Not a fan of peanut butter. Frankly, I can't stand it.

[Tigidal]

Because he'd already received 1,241 personal letters from the guy, and wanted them to STOP.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Buzz had a karate suit guy.

[Fullodds]

1.  Recruiting
2.  Head coaching experience

[downtown85]

Despite the Crean hate here, he really did a ton of good things for the MU program. Buzz was just the icing on the cake.  Well, that and the Big East affiliation.

Buzz will hire him as head of basketball operations when he is fired from IU.

[Galway Eagle]

Buzz will hire him as head of basketball operations when he is fired from IU.

It'd be pretty entertaining to see Tom Crean and O'Neil both end up working here for Buzz as assistants even though they'd never do it. 

[BrewCity83]

Buzz will hire him as head of basketball operations when he is fired from IU.

Marketing Director.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Buzz will hire him as head of basketball operations when he is fired from IU.

Crean would leave before he gets fired IMO.  If that didn't work out, he would be hired by someone else like K-State did with Bruce Weber. 


Right now, it hasn't exactly been a stellar coaching year for either Buzz or Crean.  Maybe they can help each other.

[LloydMooresLegs]

Because he'd already received 1,241 personal letters from the guy, and wanted them to STOP.

[Silkk the Shaka]

This quote encapsulates the essence of Tom Crean.

Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of Crean's slicked back buttcut 'do during the pregame jumbotron speech.

[avid1010]

didn't buzz come in with a bunch of guys following him (jimmy, a healthy joe, etc.)???  i've always wondered about how that may have played into it...were they going to follow him to UNO?