Wojo's Interview

[Lennys Tap]

Remember when Wojo was hired? Most of us were still reeling from the Shaka fiasco but were told "Fear not, Wojo blew 'em away in the interview - we caught a break when Shaka's wife got cold feet". This may or may not prove to be true - I'm not making judgements about ultimate success or failure yet - but it begs an important question. Just how did Wojo "blow 'em away, hit a grand slam" in that interview? I've been listening to him speak for 18 months and I've yet to be blown away. He LOOKS like your dream coach - in shape, tastefully dressed, etc.. but in those 18 months I've never heard him say anything interesting or insightful. Nothing that makes me think "This guy is really SMART". Maybe he fails safe to "coach speak" to avoid controversy. Maybe the administration likes it that way. Maybe I just prefer characters like Al or Buzz. But I think humor, creativity and thinking outside the box are indications of intelligence and are necessary for leadership. Hoping that Wojo has it and that he lets it show - but for now, I'm wondering...

[GGGG]

Remember when Wojo was hired? Most of us were still reeling from the Shaka fiasco but were told "Fear not, Wojo blew 'em away in the interview - we caught a break when Shaka's wife got cold feet". This may or may not prove to be true - I'm not making judgements about ultimate success or failure yet - but it begs an important question. Just how did Wojo "blow 'em away, hit a grand slam" in that interview? I've been listening to him speak for 18 months and I've yet to be blown away. He LOOKS like your dream coach - in shape, tastefully dressed, etc.. but in those 18 months I've never heard him say anything interesting or insightful. Nothing that makes me think "This guy is really SMART". Maybe he fails safe to "coach speak" to avoid controversy. Maybe the administration likes it that way. Maybe I just prefer characters like Al or Buzz. But I think humor, creativity and thinking outside the box are indications of intelligence and are necessary for leadership. Hoping that Wojo has it and that he lets it show - but for now, I'm wondering...

I think he is clearly "coach speak."  His mentor never says anything interesting either.  They play their cards close to the vest and let very few in on their inner circle.  But reports are that he is very different, good and bad, when the lights aren't on.  My guess is Wojo is similar.

But the fact that he has closed on good recruits, and is generally making very good impressions with high school coaches in the area, leads me to believe he has an engaging personality.

[Lennys Tap]

I think he is clearly "coach speak."  His mentor never says anything interesting either.  They play their cards close to the vest and let very few in on their inner circle.  But reports are that he is very different, good and bad, when the lights aren't on.  My guess is Wojo is similar.

But the fact that he has closed on good recruits, and is generally making very good impressions with high school coaches in the area, leads me to believe he has an engaging personality.

I agree he is engaging, polite and sincere. Beyond that, he hasn't shown his cards - maybe, as you suggest, he just play them close to his vest. Hope so.

[RJax55]

Remember when Wojo was hired? Most of us were still reeling from the Shaka fiasco but were told "Fear not, Wojo blew 'em away in the interview - we caught a break when Shaka's wife got cold feet". This may or may not prove to be true - I'm not making judgements about ultimate success or failure yet - but it begs an important question. Just how did Wojo "blow 'em away, hit a grand slam" in that interview? I've been listening to him speak for 18 months and I've yet to be blown away. He LOOKS like your dream coach - in shape, tastefully dressed, etc.. but in those 18 months I've never heard him say anything interesting or insightful. Nothing that makes me think "This guy is really SMART". Maybe he fails safe to "coach speak" to avoid controversy. Maybe the administration likes it that way. Maybe I just prefer characters like Al or Buzz. But I think humor, creativity and thinking outside the box are indications of intelligence and are necessary for leadership. Hoping that Wojo has it and that he lets it show - but for now, I'm wondering...

After the drama and quirks of Buzz, I can easily see how a guy that is professional, engaging, polite and energetic could blow away the MU brass. Wojo is quite different than Buzz. And, I like Buzz, but the guy is really weird.

I think Wojo is really green. Both Crean and Buzz had the benefit of working for a number of head-coaches and programs. Those variety of experiences I believe really helped them succeed early on. Wojo doesn't have that. And, I also think his inexperienced staff has made the transition a bit harder.

[Goose]

After Shaka mess they were on their heals. Wojo came in and wowed them. TAMU was on the Wojo to MU early and I had heard the rumors but did not believe it. Actually on the first weekend after Buzz left, Wojo was mentioned to me and the person telling me and I both laughed and said no way. When things started to get away from them I believe they opted for a safe play.

[tower912]

I mentioned it elsewhere, but if Wojo came in and presented his time coaching National Team/Olympians, played up everything he had learned at K's elbow and gave a detailed, impassioned vision of how he was going to make MU the Duke of the Big East,  done deal. 

[rocky_warrior]

Both Crean and Buzz had the benefit of working for a number of head-coaches and programs. Those variety of experiences I believe really helped them succeed early on.

Disagree on Crean.  So far, this is actually better than his second year.  Sure, his conference season started better, but in a much WORSE conference.  After 7 conference games in year 2, the team was 5-2, with WINS: DePaul, Cincy, USF, SLU, Tulane LOSSES: UNCC, Southern Miss. 

edit: ended the year with a final RPI of 113.

[willie warrior]

Remember when Wojo was hired? Most of us were still reeling from the Shaka fiasco but were told "Fear not, Wojo blew 'em away in the interview - we caught a break when Shaka's wife got cold feet". This may or may not prove to be true - I'm not making judgements about ultimate success or failure yet - but it begs an important question. Just how did Wojo "blow 'em away, hit a grand slam" in that interview? I've been listening to him speak for 18 months and I've yet to be blown away. He LOOKS like your dream coach - in shape, tastefully dressed, etc.. but in those 18 months I've never heard him say anything interesting or insightful. Nothing that makes me think "This guy is really SMART". Maybe he fails safe to "coach speak" to avoid controversy. Maybe the administration likes it that way. Maybe I just prefer characters like Al or Buzz. But I think humor, creativity and thinking outside the box are indications of intelligence and are necessary for leadership. Hoping that Wojo has it and that he lets it show - but for now, I'm wondering...

He probably blew them away in the same manner he blew them away to get an extension. Never underestimate the force of a potent powerpoint sales demo.

[WarriorPride68]

Disagree on Crean.  So far, this is actually better than his second year.  Sure, his conference season started better, but in a much WORSE conference.  After 7 conference games in year 2, the team was 5-2, with WINS: DePaul, Cincy, USF, SLU, Tulane LOSSES: UNCC, Southern Miss.

Crean made Final 4 in year four. I'll take that with Wojo

[rocky_warrior]

Crean made Final 4 in year four. I'll take that with Wojo

Fair, but 1) We have to give Wojo the chance, and 2) Crean was still no better in year 2.

[Lennys Tap]

He probably blew them away in the same manner he blew them away to get an extension. Never underestimate the force of a potent powerpoint sales demo.

LOL - good one Willie.

[RJax55]

Disagree on Crean.  So far, this is actually better than his second year.  Sure, his conference season started better, but in a much WORSE conference.  After 7 conference games in year 2, the team was 5-2, with WINS: DePaul, Cincy, USF, SLU, Tulane LOSSES: UNCC, Southern Miss. 

edit: ended the year with a final RPI of 113.

We will see. The way the team is playing, a conference record of 5-13 or 6-12 seems very realistic. That would give MU a RPI of 151 (5 wins) or 135 (6 wins) according to Brew's RPI data.

[WarriorPride68]

Fair, but 1) We have to give Wojo the chance, and 2) Crean was still no better in year 2.

I totally agree with you. He needs time.

[WarriorPride68]

Anyone else seeing this comercial lately? Wojo the racer
http://youtu.be/lDcjBCd2DDU

[ChicosBailBonds]

Disagree on Crean.  So far, this is actually better than his second year.  Sure, his conference season started better, but in a much WORSE conference.  After 7 conference games in year 2, the team was 5-2, with WINS: DePaul, Cincy, USF, SLU, Tulane LOSSES: UNCC, Southern Miss. 

edit: ended the year with a final RPI of 113.

Our final RPI is on pace 143 this year.

[WarriorPride68]

Our final RPI is on pace 143 this year.

Dem yummy cupcakes. Ouch.

[RushmoreAcademy]

I mean, I've listened to all the interviews and all I'm saying is, I heard from a guy that Wojo likes to kick puppies in the face.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Ask his players about their opinion of Wojo. That'll give you the answer. Wojo told the admins that it would take years to rebuild, but he promised long term success. We're on the right path

[MuMark]

Ask his players about their opinion of Wojo. That'll give you the answer. Wojo told the admins that it would take years to rebuild, but he promised long term success. We're on the right path

+1

[Babybluejeans]

Absolutely give him time. We won't care much about his quotability (or about crowd enthusiasm or all the other nits we pick at) if we start winning consistently.

That said. I really liked Buzz's personality. Weird dude but the guy was colorful and it matched Marquette's history of coaches with unique personality, like Al and Majerus. Buzz also had far less experience than Wojo but nevertheless had a knack for finding ways to win and get the most out of his players. Wish things had turned out differently with Buzz because I thought he fit our program well, but, alas, what's done is done. In the end, I don't think boring coach-speak is a harbinger of anyone's ability to coach. Most coaches do that. I'll take coach-speak from Wojo or anyone else if they take us to the Promised Land.

[mu-rara]

Buzz had a short shelf life.  Wojo is playing the long game.

[MarquetteDano]

I've said this before so my apologies for repeating myself but he has a very young assistant coaching staff.  It would be nice to have a seasoned strategy guy on that bench.

Let's face it... Woj is learning on the job just like Crean and O'Neill did.  That's fine but one should recognize their shortcomings and have someone on staff to make the transition better.  Not a bunch of young "friends".

[4everwarriors]

Maybe they were all blown away in da literal sense, ai na?

[Jay Bee]

Our final RPI is on pace 143 this year.

(sic) No. Let's stop pretending the RPI is a simple calc and an RPI ranking can be thrown out as 'if you do this, it'll be this.' Please use 'approximately,' etc type language always.

[SWARM!]

I've said this before so my apologies for repeating myself but he has a very young assistant coaching staff.  It would be nice to have a seasoned strategy guy on that bench.

Let's face it... Woj is learning on the job just like Crean and O'Neill did.  That's fine but one should recognize their shortcomings and have someone on staff to make the transition better.  Not a bunch of young "friends".

100% agree. I have my own personal reservations about Wojo but those aside, he needs to completely revamp his assistants. What exactly do Chris carrawell or Travis diener give us?  Nelson - I think he might belong as a natural recruiter but the other two are zeros.