Good luck, Buzz

[Silkk the Shaka]

I've been on a self imposed vacation from Scoop, but I feel like Lenny's post was important enough for me to come back and comment.

I agree with the general sentiment of wishing Buzz good luck. No sour grapes from me.

I honestly believe that he will do well. He'll get a bunch of scrappy JUCOs and transfers, and he'll coach them up, and pull his share of upsets. It's the perfect setting for Buzz.

However, Lenny, I think you are actually making this whole thing too complex and too nuanced.

#1 Buzz is a basketball mercenary. It's who he is. He'll do well at (insert school), and he'll move on when he wants to. He's a professional in the truest sense. He coaches basketball for money. If he doesn't like the job, he'll move on. When he gets another job, he'll put that school's pin on his jacket, change his twitter picture, and BOOM, he's a new man! It's who he is. NOTE: THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON OR MEAN FANS SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM. 

#2 Buzz has a schtick. He plays dumb a lot (he's not dumb), he likes to paint himself and his team as underdogs constantly. He talks about family, faith, etc. It's not an "act", but it's not an accident either. He's very calculated in how he presents himself, and how he is perceived. NOTE: THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON OR MEAN FANS SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM.

If we all accept these 2 things, then everything else will just fall away. "Mess with happy", "it factor", "relationships", "dead end job" whatever you want. It can all be answered by remembering 2 things:

Buzz is a basketball mercenary. Buzz has a coaching schtick. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Best of luck, coach Williams.

This is great too.

[Lennys Tap]

Yet there were others, like myself, who questioned him for quite some time.  Always thought he was a below average coach when it came to x's and o's and player development.  Both of those aspects were proven time and again this past season.  I also have not been a fan of some of the players he has brought in either.  Their seemed to be constant whispers about player conduct, suspensions, grades, transfers, etc.... Say what you want about TC, but there weren't nearly the amount of questionable characters here when he was coach.  I believe the administration noticed this as well, thus Buzz is gone and a squeaky clean guy like WOJO is brought in.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the tournament success, but it was hard to cheer for certain guys in this program during Buzz's tenure.  I am thankful he is gone and I am excited about the WOJO era.  The departing of Buzz has reinvigorated me as a MU fan.

This post is so typical. X's and O's? Tell me your coaching background that establishes your bona fides. Player development? Six (6) players  (none of them 5 stars, some of them even 2 stars) in the NBA in his first 5 years. Sounds like anyone willing to pay the price to develop does pretty well under Buzz. Constant "whispers" about player conduct? How about some specifics? Suspensions? Sure, Buzz suspended guys (Todd) for being late to practice. Things changed a lot from the days when a guy (Crean recruit Pat Hazel) could be caught stealing from his dorm mates and be quietly regulated to the bench and transfer out at year's end as if nothing had happened. Grades? Todd, yes. JJJ, maybe. Transfers? They're everywhere, and your boy in Bloomington may set a record this year. And if you found it easier to root for Pat Hazel than Vander Blue or Todd Mayo, fine. I didn't.

One thing I agree on - I'll be rooting for Wojo, too.

[Shack]

"Buzz is a basketball mercenary. Buzz has a coaching schtick. And there is nothing wrong with that."

Agree with the first two sentences.  Disagree big time on the last.  That schtick can do a lot of damage to the reputation of a university and the brand we created.  

[Pakuni]

Is Lenny the new Chico's?

[hairy worthen]

I've been on a self imposed vacation from Scoop, but I feel like Lenny's post was important enough for me to come back and comment.

I agree with the general sentiment of wishing Buzz good luck. No sour grapes from me.

I honestly believe that he will do well. He'll get a bunch of scrappy JUCOs and transfers, and he'll coach them up, and pull his share of upsets. It's the perfect setting for Buzz.

However, Lenny, I think you are actually making this whole thing too complex and too nuanced.

#1 Buzz is a basketball mercenary. It's who he is. He'll do well at (insert school), and he'll move on when he wants to. He's a professional in the truest sense. He coaches basketball for money. If he doesn't like the job, he'll move on. When he gets another job, he'll put that school's pin on his jacket, change his twitter picture, and BOOM, he's a new man! It's who he is. NOTE: THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON OR MEAN FANS SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM. 

#2 Buzz has a schtick. He plays dumb a lot (he's not dumb), he likes to paint himself and his team as underdogs constantly. He talks about family, faith, etc. It's not an "act", but it's not an accident either. He's very calculated in how he presents himself, and how he is perceived. NOTE: THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON OR MEAN FANS SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM.

If we all accept these 2 things, then everything else will just fall away. "Mess with happy", "it factor", "relationships", "dead end job" whatever you want. It can all be answered by remembering 2 things:

Buzz is a basketball mercenary. Buzz has a coaching schtick. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Best of luck, coach Williams.

Post more often.

I agree with this except I think there is also a sleaze factor to Buzz as well, which contradicts the scthick he tries to portray. That is the problem for me.   I am guessing more things will come out about Buzz than what we already know. At the end of the day, the administration's ethics and standards did not square with Buzzes and that is why he is gone. 

[avid1010]

How did Buzz's contract at MU work?  

I've been debating the $$$'s...without knowing exactly how his contract worked with MU...he may have left MU (and the chance for more money) for VT and the guarantee of money.  If he really felt like MU was going to push him out, then 2.6 million for the next 7 years may be more than what he would have ended up with had he stayed and MU and been pushed out???

[leever]

but it was hard to cheer for certain guys in this program during Buzz's tenure.

Not trying to instigate anything, just curious - who are the "certain guys" that were hard to cheer for?  Was that because they were bad at basketball or squirmy?

[Eldon]

I've been on a self imposed vacation from Scoop, but I feel like Lenny's post was important enough for me to come back and comment.

I agree with the general sentiment of wishing Buzz good luck. No sour grapes from me.

I honestly believe that he will do well. He'll get a bunch of scrappy JUCOs and transfers, and he'll coach them up, and pull his share of upsets. It's the perfect setting for Buzz.

However, Lenny, I think you are actually making this whole thing too complex and too nuanced.

#1 Buzz is a basketball mercenary. It's who he is. He'll do well at (insert school), and he'll move on when he wants to. He's a professional in the truest sense. He coaches basketball for money. If he doesn't like the job, he'll move on. When he gets another job, he'll put that school's pin on his jacket, change his twitter picture, and BOOM, he's a new man! It's who he is. NOTE: THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON OR MEAN FANS SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM.  

#2 Buzz has a schtick. He plays dumb a lot (he's not dumb), he likes to paint himself and his team as underdogs constantly. He talks about family, faith, etc. It's not an "act", but it's not an accident either. He's very calculated in how he presents himself, and how he is perceived. NOTE: THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON OR MEAN FANS SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM.

If we all accept these 2 things, then everything else will just fall away. "Mess with happy", "it factor", "relationships", "dead end job" whatever you want. It can all be answered by remembering 2 things:

Buzz is a basketball mercenary. Buzz has a coaching schtick. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Best of luck, coach Williams.

Guns, welcome back.  I respectfully disagree with you here.  And it's not a formality, I truly mean "respectfully." You are more than a solid poster.

That said, his shtick is that he is not a mercenary.  His quotes, his persona, his actions, all work to make it awfully tempting to draw the conclusion that "Buzz is above the fray", he is "not like Tom Crean or all of those other mercenary coaches",  "Buzz actually cares about you, me, us, DJ Newbill, Marquette/New Orleans University, etc."

I respect genuine people.  I have zero respect for phony people.  Buzz is a phony.  I certainly do not wish him personal or familial failure, but I do wish him professional failure.  I hope he fails at Virginia Tech.  Maybe it makes me a bad person, immature, whatever, but that's how I (currently) feel.

EDIT: Sorry for crashing the wish-Buzz-well nature of this thread.  Also, I feel somewhat guilty wishing someone professional failure during Lent, but...well, anyway.

[Lennys Tap]

I've been on a self imposed vacation from Scoop, but I feel like Lenny's post was important enough for me to come back and comment.

I agree with the general sentiment of wishing Buzz good luck. No sour grapes from me.

I honestly believe that he will do well. He'll get a bunch of scrappy JUCOs and transfers, and he'll coach them up, and pull his share of upsets. It's the perfect setting for Buzz.

However, Lenny, I think you are actually making this whole thing too complex and too nuanced.

#1 Buzz is a basketball mercenary. It's who he is. He'll do well at (insert school), and he'll move on when he wants to. He's a professional in the truest sense. He coaches basketball for money. If he doesn't like the job, he'll move on. When he gets another job, he'll put that school's pin on his jacket, change his twitter picture, and BOOM, he's a new man! It's who he is. NOTE: THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON OR MEAN FANS SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM. 

#2 Buzz has a schtick. He plays dumb a lot (he's not dumb), he likes to paint himself and his team as underdogs constantly. He talks about family, faith, etc. It's not an "act", but it's not an accident either. He's very calculated in how he presents himself, and how he is perceived. NOTE: THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIM A BAD PERSON OR MEAN FANS SHOULDN'T LIKE HIM.

If we all accept these 2 things, then everything else will just fall away. "Mess with happy", "it factor", "relationships", "dead end job" whatever you want. It can all be answered by remembering 2 things:

Buzz is a basketball mercenary. Buzz has a coaching schtick. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Best of luck, coach Williams.

Welcome back Guns. Over the years you've driven me crazy at times by over complicating the simple. Now you're reducing the complex to a caricature. What gives?

[BenCat12]

This post is so typical. X's and O's? Tell me your coaching background that establishes your bona fides. Player development? Six (6) players  (none of them 5 stars, some of them even 2 stars) in the NBA in his first 5 years. Sounds like anyone willing to pay the price to develop does pretty well under Buzz. Constant "whispers" about player conduct? How about some specifics? Suspensions? Sure, Buzz suspended guys (Todd) for being late to practice. Things changed a lot from the days when a guy (Crean recruit Pat Hazel) could be caught stealing from his dorm mates and be quietly regulated to the bench and transfer out at year's end as if nothing had happened. Grades? Todd, yes. JJJ, maybe. Transfers? They're everywhere, and your boy in Bloomington may set a record this year. And if you found it easier to root for Pat Hazel than Vander Blue or Todd Mayo, fine. I didn't.

One thing I agree on - I'll be rooting for Wojo, too.

Right, so only those with a better resume than Buzz can question his x's and o's  

He got JUCO's to the NBA, guys who got both developed and got significant playing time their 1st and 2nd years out of high school, under a different coach.  Buzz motivated them and deserves credit for that, I just don't believe their skills were improved the way you apparently do.  How many guys that started their career's as freshmen under Buzz made the league (currently have NBA contracts)?

I choose not to mention specific players and their misconduct because I don't know what is 100% true and what isn't, but the whispers are certainly there.  Classy to bash Hazel like that when it hasn't been released publicly what he did, btw.

Crean is not my boy, by any means.  The way he left was pathetic, but I don't blame him for leaving. The program was far cleaner when Crean was the coach than under Buzz.  Quite frankly I don't really care for either of them.  

As for rooting for players, it was difficult for me to root for many players under Buzz.  It was much easier to cheer for Wes, Dom, Diener, Novak, Sanders, RJax, Ooze, etc than it was to root for DJO, Vander, E.Will, Buycks, Mayo,etc....You can root for whomever you want, so will I.  I always want the team to do well, but the attachment to the players was severely lacking for me during the Buzz era.

[Texas Western]

The last 12 days have been quite an eye opener for me. I have been one of Buzz William's most steadfast backers during his six years at Marquette. His on the court success was undeniable, the greatest seen by my beloved alma mater since the seashells and balloons days of the great Al McGuire. He was also the first coach to come to Marquette since Al who had "it", that difficult to define but easily recognizable quality that allows a man to own any room he enters. Like Al, he mesmerized Warrior fans and then the nation as a whole. "The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker....." was as riveting as it was moving, a perfect description of his team and it's leader. His personal journey/story and those of some of his players (Jimmy, Chris, etc.) were proof that the American Dream still exists. Somehow in his 60+ hour work weeks he stole enough time to found, nurture and grow the Buzz's Bunch program, a charity that brought joy to hundreds of kids and their families and taught his players lessons of immeasurable value. Along the way he preached that relationships and happiness were more important than money, fame, high profile, etc., a sentiment that earned him praise from Warrior Nation until, gasp, he actually lived it. In January or February of 2012 I shared an unnerving bit of news with the board - an insider who less than a year before had testified to Buzz's happiness and the probability that he could be a Marquette lifer was now reporting that Buzz was very unhappy and could be gone at year's end. Remember that when Buzz said "I'll be here as long as THEY will have me, the "theys" he was referring to were Steve Cottingham and Fr Wild, not LW, Fr Pilarz, Chicos or the BOT. As Marquette fans we can be hurt that Buzz was no longer happy at MU. We can even argue that his salary, the plane, the budget, etc., should have been enough to make him happy. But we can't call him a phony or a hypocrite. A phony or a hypocrite says "It's not about the money, it's not about the fame, it's about the relationships" and then leaves good relationships for strangers, more money and a higher profile. That's not what Buzz did. He took what most would consider a dead end job for less money to leave unhappy behind. He chose relationships (close friend Mick Cronin brokered the deal and vouched for the V Tech AD) and happiness over money and prestige. Just like he always said he would. Some here can't comprehend this, but that's their character flaw, not his. Buzz isn't without fault, though. IMO he needs to grow a thicker skin - I wish it could have happened here. My regrets, though, are outweighed by my gratitude. Thanks, Buzz, for MU's greatest stretch since the 70s. I'll always be a fan. Best of luck, Buzz.

Buzz had 5 good years  for sure. But he didn't build a program he just extended what was there, At the end his true character manifested it self as well as his lack of basketball knowledge . A selfish , ego maniac border line con man who became a modern day Willie Lohman. When his team stopped buying his manipulative BS the game was up. I am delighted he is gone and looking forward to the  next chapter. Hopefully Wojo can lay some foundation for the future.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

How did Buzz's contract at MU work?  

I've been debating the $$$'s...without knowing exactly how his contract worked with MU...he may have left MU (and the chance for more money) for VT and the guarantee of money.  If he really felt like MU was going to push him out, then 2.6 million for the next 7 years may be more than what he would have ended up with had he stayed and MU and been pushed out???

tough to get new jobs after being fired, better to get nearly the same money at a school where you can continue to show demonstrated improvement.

[LAZER]

I respect genuine people.  I have zero respect for phony people.  Buzz is a phony.  I certainly do not wish him personal or familial failure, but I do wish him professional failure.  I hope he fails at Virginia Tech.  Maybe it makes me a bad person, immature, whatever, but that's how I (currently) feel.

EDIT: Sorry for crashing the wish-Buzz-well nature of this thread.  Also, I feel somewhat guilty wishing someone professional failure during Lent, but...well, anyway.

I wouldn't feel guilty.  It's sports, having people to root against makes it fun.

[Lennys Tap]

Is Lenny the new Chico's?

Ouch. There are some differences.

I like Buzz and admit it. So more often than not I defend him. I loathe Crean and admit it. So more often than not I rip him.


Chicos pretends to loathe Crean while constantly defending him. Chicos pretends to like Buzz while constantly ripping him.


There's a word for that...

[Pakuni]

Ouch.

Just kidding with you, Lenny.
Though I'd love to see all the Crean sucks threads disappear and NOT be replaced with a bunch of Buzz sucks threads.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Welcome back Guns. Over the years you've driven me crazy at times by over complicating the simple. Now you're reducing the complex to a caricature. What gives?

Ironic, right?

I just think that fans (myself included) get themselves emotionally attached and then twist themselves into knots trying to avoid the inevitable truth(s).

#1 College coaches, by nature, are mercenaries. Very few have actual loyalty to a school or a job. They aren't alumni or 25 year season ticket holders like we are. This. Is. A. Job. We need to remember that.

#2 College coaches, by nature, use some form of schtick or coachspeak to present the image they want. Buzz's schtick was that he didn't have a schtick. Clever! Not all coaches are dishonest, but I think it's safe to say that the VAST majority know how to create an image for themselves and their school. Again, that doesn't mean fans shouldn't like them. Fans just need to temper their enthusiasm sometimes.

If anybody wants some homework, look up the word "schtick" or "mercenary" on this forum. We've had threads debating these terms in the past.

As far as Buzz's schtick hurting MU, I don't even know if I can comment on that. I'm more commenting on the landscape of college coaches. For the most part, they are all doing the same song and dance. If we all remember that, a lot of the nonsensical details will go by the wayside.

[brandx]

Guns, welcome back.  I respectfully disagree with you here.  And it's not a formality, I truly mean "respectfully." You are more than a solid poster.

That said, his shtick is that he is not a mercenary.  His quotes, his persona, his actions, all work to make it awfully tempting to draw the conclusion that "Buzz is above the fray", he is "not like Tom Crean or all of those other mercenary coaches",  "Buzz actually cares about you, me, us, DJ Newbill, Marquette/New Orleans University, etc."

I respect genuine people.  I have zero respect for phony people.  Buzz is a phony.  I certainly do not wish him personal or familial failure, but I do wish him professional failure.  I hope he fails at Virginia Tech.  Maybe it makes me a bad person, immature, whatever, but that's how I (currently) feel.

EDIT: Sorry for crashing the wish-Buzz-well nature of this thread.  Also, I feel somewhat guilty wishing someone professional failure during Lent, but...well, anyway.

Good post Eldon. You have become one of the better posters here. Guns always has been as well. and I'm glad he is back.

I guess I'm kinda in the middle between you two. I was tired of his Schtick a couple years ago, but tolerated it when we were winning. I really do appreciate what he did here. I'm also really glad he is gone.

Something happened this year. I don't know if it was early in the season or before the season started, but something was different with Buzz. It seemed as though he coached this year to prove a point (don't know what the point was or to whom), but it didn't seem he had the best interest of the team or his players foremost.

Some have called it tanking, but it was something else. Just not really sure yet what it was.

[lab_warrior]

I've been on a self imposed vacation from Scoop, but I feel like Lenny's post was important enough for me to come back and comment.

+1

The last 12 days have been quite an eye opener for me. I have been one of Buzz William's most steadfast backers during his six years at Marquette. His on the court success was undeniable, the greatest seen by my beloved alma mater since the seashells and balloons days of the great Al McGuire. He was also the first coach to come to Marquette since Al who had "it", that difficult to define but easily recognizable quality that allows a man to own any room he enters. Like Al, he mesmerized Warrior fans and then the nation as a whole. "The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker....." was as riveting as it was moving, a perfect description of his team and it's leader. His personal journey/story and those of some of his players (Jimmy, Chris, etc.) were proof that the American Dream still exists. Somehow in his 60+ hour work weeks he stole enough time to found, nurture and grow the Buzz's Bunch program, a charity that brought joy to hundreds of kids and their families and taught his players lessons of immeasurable value. Along the way he preached that relationships and happiness were more important than money, fame, high profile, etc., a sentiment that earned him praise from Warrior Nation until, gasp, he actually lived it. In January or February of 2012 I shared an unnerving bit of news with the board - an insider who less than a year before had testified to Buzz's happiness and the probability that he could be a Marquette lifer was now reporting that Buzz was very unhappy and could be gone at year's end. Remember that when Buzz said "I'll be here as long as THEY will have me, the "theys" he was referring to were Steve Cottingham and Fr Wild, not LW, Fr Pilarz, Chicos or the BOT. As Marquette fans we can be hurt that Buzz was no longer happy at MU. We can even argue that his salary, the plane, the budget, etc., should have been enough to make him happy. But we can't call him a phony or a hypocrite. A phony or a hypocrite says "It's not about the money, it's not about the fame, it's about the relationships" and then leaves good relationships for strangers, more money and a higher profile. That's not what Buzz did. He took what most would consider a dead end job for less money to leave unhappy behind. He chose relationships (close friend Mick Cronin brokered the deal and vouched for the V Tech AD) and happiness over money and prestige. Just like he always said he would. Some here can't comprehend this, but that's their character flaw, not his. Buzz isn't without fault, though. IMO he needs to grow a thicker skin - I wish it could have happened here. My regrets, though, are outweighed by my gratitude. Thanks, Buzz, for MU's greatest stretch since the 70s. I'll always be a fan. Best of luck, Buzz.

Good sweet Christ is this pathetic; the SLURPER MANIFESTO if there could be one, and some really hot, steaming, nostalgic, weepy garbage.  It's sad there's still anyone willing to carry the man's water.

I feel as if I need a "Crying Games" level shower for actually believing most of the man's 400 tons of pure, grade A bulls***, and for ever having defended the bozo in this forum.  If the past season and the last 2 weeks has taught me anything, it's that I simply don't have ENOUGH cynicism--that's on me.  Thanks, Brent, for the valuable service. 

The "I'll stay as long as they'll have me", "character revealed" garbage was, and is, AN ACT, SHTICK, FLIM FLAM, AND A BIG, FAT CON.  And his success on the court, as clearly proven from this year, was clearly from superior players bailing the man out; the coaching job this season smacks of either complete fecklessness, incompetence, negligence, or all three simultaneously--a colossal turd that Al would have never submitted (or at least owned up to)--to compare him to Al is a disgusting insult, IMO.   Clearly it would have been worse next season, based on the recent PT article.  To deny Brent's horrible X and O coaching this season is deny reality.  And the use of the tired "IT" cliche was nice, in a 40-years-out-of-date, doddering sportswriter way. 

I laughed when my wife suggested that maybe Buzz was tanking the season on purpose, (pulled Burton in that BET game, played DWill 40 minutes, yo-yo'd Mayo in and out of games, started 3 functionless non-scorers) now I believe her--no coach can possibly be that f***ing dumb and willfully obstinate.  The Steve Taylor PT article was MY eye opener.  Quite frankly, Brent Williams, and HIS SCHTICK, can go straight to hell, but I'll settle for ACC flotsam. 

Quite simply, Brent Williams is a gutless coward who RAN FROM, not embraced, supervision, expectations, and responsibility, which are the core CHARACTER REVEALED attributes he demanded from his players, and would never shut up about personally.  That is simply one facet of the man's great gift for grifting and hypocrisy.  Using the Buzz Bunch segment as a feel good piece airing on CBS to leverage his image before skipping town was pretty damn revolting as well.  So yes, he was a mercenary, and yes, he has a shtick, but at the core of those two items is complete and utter hypocrisy--a big ball of nothing.

Hiding under the truly pathetic and so, SO tired catch-all excuse, "I'm not happy." (see Mad Men's Don Draper:  "THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR!"), the man skulked out of town for a hilariously awful job, where he will be hard pressed to succeed, despite his fervent turd polishing and media bootlicking about it on his way out.  Our fan base and university bent over backwards to make Brent, "HAPPY." (Having the temerity to hire an AD and University President, no less, and God forbid there be some sort of academic standards at a major division 1 university, for shame.  And DORMS!) The man had an AD run out of town for the mere sin of talking to a f***ing newspaper, and folks rushed to poor Brent's defense merely because the AD wore a sweat stained hat that one time and graduated from a university they didn't like.  There was the comedy gold of the SMU job (again, I was dupable enough to swallow huckster Brent's line of s***) where everyone was falling over themselves to kiss the emperor's ring, writing emails, rather than telling him rightfully to f*** off and call his bluff.  I can only hope this time around, the university actually did that.  Sad.  Seriously, the man needs counseling, if he has to be begged this much after every season, and have his fine gossamer-threaded ego stroked by the administration, media, and fans.  He's not leaving for a "new challenge."  He's shirking a more high profile job with high expectations, the very definition of DUCKING a challenge.   

F*** Brent Williams, and ESPECIALLY F*** anybody who wishes this phony piece of s*** "well."  Don't go away unhappy Brent, just go away.  The only wish I have for the man is to FAIL.  On to the Wojo era.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Guns, welcome back.  I respectfully disagree with you here.  And it's not a formality, I truly mean "respectfully." You are more than a solid poster.

That said, his shtick is that he is not a mercenary.  His quotes, his persona, his actions, all work to make it awfully tempting to draw the conclusion that "Buzz is above the fray", he is "not like Tom Crean or all of those other mercenary coaches",  "Buzz actually cares about you, me, us, DJ Newbill, Marquette/New Orleans University, etc."

I respect genuine people.  I have zero respect for phony people.  Buzz is a phony.  I certainly do not wish him personal or familial failure, but I do wish him professional failure.  I hope he fails at Virginia Tech.  Maybe it makes me a bad person, immature, whatever, but that's how I (currently) feel.

EDIT: Sorry for crashing the wish-Buzz-well nature of this thread.  Also, I feel somewhat guilty wishing someone professional failure during Lent, but...well, anyway.

I don't blame you for being mad at him, we're fans. We get attached, and then we get mad.

I guess I would just suggest to everybody to set our expectations appropriately.

Tom always reached out to the fans, saying everything was for the fans, and that was cool, but it was part of Tom's schtick.

Buzz always talked about the players as his family, and said everything was about them, not him. That was part of Buzz's schtick.

Wojo is going to talk about X, and that will be part of Wojo's schtick.

These coaches aren't lying, per se, but they use certain terminology to project the image they want.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

+1

Good sweet Christ is this pathetic; the SLURPER MANIFESTO if there could be one, and some really hot, steaming, nostalgic, weepy garbage.  It's sad there's still anyone willing to carry the man's water.

I feel as if I need a "Crying Games" level shower for actually believing most of the man's 400 tons of pure, grade A bulls***, and for ever having defended the bozo in this forum.  If the past season and the last 2 weeks has taught me anything, it's that I simply don't have ENOUGH cynicism--that's on me.  Thanks, Brent, for the valuable service. 

The "I'll stay as long as they'll have me", "character revealed" garbage was, and is, AN ACT, SHTICK, FLIM FLAM, AND A BIG, FAT CON.  And his success on the court, as clearly proven from this year, was clearly from superior players bailing the man out; the coaching job this season smacks of either complete fecklessness, incompetence, negligence, or all three simultaneously--a colossal turd that Al would have never submitted (or at least owned up to)--to compare him to Al is a disgusting insult, IMO.   Clearly it would have been worse next season, based on the recent PT article.  To deny Brent's horrible X and O coaching this season is deny reality.  And the use of the tired "IT" cliche was nice, in a 40-years-out-of-date, doddering sportswriter way. 

I laughed when my wife suggested that maybe Buzz was tanking the season on purpose, (pulled Burton in that BET game, played DWill 40 minutes, yo-yo'd Mayo in and out of games, started 3 functionless non-scorers) now I believe her--no coach can possibly be that f***ing dumb and willfully obstinate.  The Steve Taylor PT article was MY eye opener.  Quite frankly, Brent Williams, and HIS SCHTICK, can go straight to hell, but I'll settle for ACC flotsam. 

Quite simply, Brent Williams is a gutless coward who RAN FROM, not embraced, supervision, expectations, and responsibility, which are the core CHARACTER REVEALED attributes he demanded from his players, and would never shut up about personally.  That is simply one facet of the man's great gift for grifting and hypocrisy.  Using the Buzz Bunch segment as a feel good piece airing on CBS to leverage his image before skipping town was pretty damn revolting as well.  So yes, he was a mercenary, and yes, he has a shtick, but at the core of those two items is complete and utter hypocrisy--a big ball of nothing.

Hiding under the truly pathetic and so, SO tired catch-all excuse, "I'm not happy." (see Mad Men's Don Draper:  "THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR!"), the man skulked out of town for a hilariously awful job, where he will be hard pressed to succeed, despite his fervent turd polishing and media bootlicking about it on his way out.  Our fan base and university bent over backwards to make Brent, "HAPPY." (Having the temerity to hire an AD and University President, no less, and God forbid there be some sort of academic standards at a major division 1 university, for shame.  And DORMS!) The man had an AD run out of town for the mere sin of talking to a f***ing newspaper, and folks rushed to poor Brent's defense merely because the AD wore a sweat stained hat that one time and graduated from a university they didn't like.  There was the comedy gold of the SMU job (again, I was dupable enough to swallow huckster Brent's line of s***) where everyone was falling over themselves to kiss the emperor's ring, writing emails, rather than telling him rightfully to f*** off and call his bluff.  I can only hope this time around, the university actually did that.  Sad.  Seriously, the man needs counseling, if he has to be begged this much after every season, and have his fine gossamer-threaded ego stroked by the administration, media, and fans.  He's not leaving for a "new challenge."  He's shirking a more high profile job with high expectations, the very definition of DUCKING a challenge.   

F*** Brent Williams, and ESPECIALLY F*** anybody who wishes this phony piece of s*** "well."  Don't go away unhappy Brent, just go away.  The only wish I have for the man is to FAIL.  On to the Wojo era.

I don't agree with you 100%, but I have to admit, you rant game is tight. Well done.

[brandx]

+1

Good sweet Christ is this pathetic; the SLURPER MANIFESTO if there could be one, and some really hot, steaming, nostalgic, weepy garbage.  It's sad there's still anyone willing to carry the man's water.

I feel as if I need a "Crying Games" level shower for actually believing most of the man's 400 tons of pure, grade A bulls***, and for ever having defended the bozo in this forum.  If the past season and the last 2 weeks has taught me anything, it's that I simply don't have ENOUGH cynicism--that's on me.  Thanks, Brent, for the valuable service.  

The "I'll stay as long as they'll have me", "character revealed" garbage was, and is, AN ACT, SHTICK, FLIM FLAM, AND A BIG, FAT CON.  And his success on the court, as clearly proven from this year, was clearly from superior players bailing the man out; the coaching job this season smacks of either complete fecklessness, incompetence, negligence, or all three simultaneously--a colossal turd that Al would have never submitted (or at least owned up to)--to compare him to Al is a disgusting insult, IMO.   Clearly it would have been worse next season, based on the recent PT article.  To deny Brent's horrible X and O coaching this season is deny reality.  And the use of the tired "IT" cliche was nice, in a 40-years-out-of-date, doddering sportswriter way.  

I laughed when my wife suggested that maybe Buzz was tanking the season on purpose, (pulled Burton in that BET game, played DWill 40 minutes, yo-yo'd Mayo in and out of games, started 3 functionless non-scorers) now I believe her--no coach can possibly be that f***ing dumb and willfully obstinate.  The Steve Taylor PT article was MY eye opener.  Quite frankly, Brent Williams, and HIS SCHTICK, can go straight to hell, but I'll settle for ACC flotsam.  

Quite simply, Brent Williams is a gutless coward who RAN FROM, not embraced, supervision, expectations, and responsibility, which are the core CHARACTER REVEALED attributes he demanded from his players, and would never shut up about personally.  That is simply one facet of the man's great gift for grifting and hypocrisy.  Using the Buzz Bunch segment as a feel good piece airing on CBS to leverage his image before skipping town was pretty damn revolting as well.  So yes, he was a mercenary, and yes, he has a shtick, but at the core of those two items is complete and utter hypocrisy--a big ball of nothing.

Hiding under the truly pathetic and so, SO tired catch-all excuse, "I'm not happy." (see Mad Men's Don Draper:  "THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR!"), the man skulked out of town for a hilariously awful job, where he will be hard pressed to succeed, despite his fervent turd polishing and media bootlicking about it on his way out.  Our fan base and university bent over backwards to make Brent, "HAPPY." (Having the temerity to hire an AD and University President, no less, and God forbid there be some sort of academic standards at a major division 1 university, for shame.  And DORMS!) The man had an AD run out of town for the mere sin of talking to a f***ing newspaper, and folks rushed to poor Brent's defense merely because the AD wore a sweat stained hat that one time and graduated from a university they didn't like.  There was the comedy gold of the SMU job (again, I was dupable enough to swallow huckster Brent's line of s***) where everyone was falling over themselves to kiss the emperor's ring, writing emails, rather than telling him rightfully to f*** off and call his bluff.  I can only hope this time around, the university actually did that.  Sad.  Seriously, the man needs counseling, if he has to be begged this much after every season, and have his fine gossamer-threaded ego stroked by the administration, media, and fans.  He's not leaving for a "new challenge."  He's shirking a more high profile job with high expectations, the very definition of DUCKING a challenge.    

F*** Brent Williams, and ESPECIALLY F*** anybody who wishes this phony piece of s*** "well."  Don't go away unhappy Brent, just go away.  The only wish I have for the man is to FAIL.  On to the Wojo era.

Don't agree with all you wrote, but that is a Hall of Fame post.


Edit: Guns beat me to it.

[brandx]

There have been many times I had something to post and as I read the thread, Guns has already said it.

[burger]

Analogies of Buzz.....

Some good some bad.....

1. Being a Bears fan.....Buzz is Mike Ditka......You get buy-in from the players for "X" amount of time.....But the high stress environment that is created wears thin at some point.....It is becoming clear that he had lost this team by the end of the season......Given what twitter is saying.....

2. Buzz is crack.....Bringing in the highest level JV players carried this program for his tenure.....The only 4 year non JV player that really "developed" was Davonte....But you can also say that he had 2 3 year JV players that developed well past expectations.....(he has already offered a TOP 5 JV player at VT)

3. Buzz is a Diva.....It is his way or the highway and he does not take criticism well or at all.....

4. Buzz is insecure.....Never thinking he belonged.....For whatever reason.....Or having to live up to Al's legacy.....Buzz gave up and took the easy way out and took the bird in the hand vs. trying to create his own long term legacy.....

and finally.....

and this is disparaging.....

You are a product of your environment.....(family, friends, and person that influences you or comes in contact with you)

Buzz's formative years were from a less than "positive" environment given some of the information he had shared.....

Sometimes....you can get all the "trash" out of the "trailer" and a person resorts to his prior existence and experiences.....


That being said......Buzz moved this program back into the National spotlight well above where Crean had taken it.....

Now it is Wojo's chance to form the program under his own "vision".....

I just hope it is not "Duke vanilla"......That is not who we are.....

[NickelDimer]

+1

Good sweet Christ is this pathetic; the SLURPER MANIFESTO if there could be one, and some really hot, steaming, nostalgic, weepy garbage.  It's sad there's still anyone willing to carry the man's water.

I feel as if I need a "Crying Games" level shower for actually believing most of the man's 400 tons of pure, grade A bulls***, and for ever having defended the bozo in this forum.  If the past season and the last 2 weeks has taught me anything, it's that I simply don't have ENOUGH cynicism--that's on me.  Thanks, Brent, for the valuable service. 

The "I'll stay as long as they'll have me", "character revealed" garbage was, and is, AN ACT, SHTICK, FLIM FLAM, AND A BIG, FAT CON.  And his success on the court, as clearly proven from this year, was clearly from superior players bailing the man out; the coaching job this season smacks of either complete fecklessness, incompetence, negligence, or all three simultaneously--a colossal turd that Al would have never submitted (or at least owned up to)--to compare him to Al is a disgusting insult, IMO.   Clearly it would have been worse next season, based on the recent PT article.  To deny Brent's horrible X and O coaching this season is deny reality.  And the use of the tired "IT" cliche was nice, in a 40-years-out-of-date, doddering sportswriter way. 

I laughed when my wife suggested that maybe Buzz was tanking the season on purpose, (pulled Burton in that BET game, played DWill 40 minutes, yo-yo'd Mayo in and out of games, started 3 functionless non-scorers) now I believe her--no coach can possibly be that f***ing dumb and willfully obstinate.  The Steve Taylor PT article was MY eye opener.  Quite frankly, Brent Williams, and HIS SCHTICK, can go straight to hell, but I'll settle for ACC flotsam. 

Quite simply, Brent Williams is a gutless coward who RAN FROM, not embraced, supervision, expectations, and responsibility, which are the core CHARACTER REVEALED attributes he demanded from his players, and would never shut up about personally.  That is simply one facet of the man's great gift for grifting and hypocrisy.  Using the Buzz Bunch segment as a feel good piece airing on CBS to leverage his image before skipping town was pretty damn revolting as well.  So yes, he was a mercenary, and yes, he has a shtick, but at the core of those two items is complete and utter hypocrisy--a big ball of nothing.

Hiding under the truly pathetic and so, SO tired catch-all excuse, "I'm not happy." (see Mad Men's Don Draper:  "THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR!"), the man skulked out of town for a hilariously awful job, where he will be hard pressed to succeed, despite his fervent turd polishing and media bootlicking about it on his way out.  Our fan base and university bent over backwards to make Brent, "HAPPY." (Having the temerity to hire an AD and University President, no less, and God forbid there be some sort of academic standards at a major division 1 university, for shame.  And DORMS!) The man had an AD run out of town for the mere sin of talking to a f***ing newspaper, and folks rushed to poor Brent's defense merely because the AD wore a sweat stained hat that one time and graduated from a university they didn't like.  There was the comedy gold of the SMU job (again, I was dupable enough to swallow huckster Brent's line of s***) where everyone was falling over themselves to kiss the emperor's ring, writing emails, rather than telling him rightfully to f*** off and call his bluff.  I can only hope this time around, the university actually did that.  Sad.  Seriously, the man needs counseling, if he has to be begged this much after every season, and have his fine gossamer-threaded ego stroked by the administration, media, and fans.  He's not leaving for a "new challenge."  He's shirking a more high profile job with high expectations, the very definition of DUCKING a challenge.   

F*** Brent Williams, and ESPECIALLY F*** anybody who wishes this phony piece of s*** "well."  Don't go away unhappy Brent, just go away.  The only wish I have for the man is to FAIL.  On to the Wojo era.

Anyone have Brent's VT email address?

[tower912]

I am sure that in buzz's mind he lived up to what he said.   He just no longer felt wanted.   The AD who signed him was gone.   The AD replacement had been a source of conflict.   He had been a vagabond his whole adult life.   His wandering eye/cheating heart nature took over after his happy was messed with.      Just like I appreciate Crean's final 4 run and 190 wins in 9 years, I appreciate Buzz's 69-39 Big East record, and his S-16, S-16, E-8 run.   I remember all of the stories about Crean that came out when he left.    This is no different.   Whenever someone leaves, there is going to be stories of disgruntled former players.     Bottom line, Buzz took less money to coach at a worse basketball school.   The only reason somebody does that is if they either (A) are told to leave or (B) is just so unhappy where he is that leaving is the only option.     Either way, thanks for your time at MU, Buzz