Rivers Endorses Crean Assistant Williams as Marquette Coach

[Tugg Speedman]

http://www.620wtmj.com/sports/17329929.html

Rivers Endorses Crean Assistant Williams as Marquette Coach
Story Created: Apr 6, 2008

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Doc Rivers, one of Marquette basketball's most influential figures, says Buzz Williams would make a "terrific" replacement for Tom Crean -- but he doesn't necessarily think the school's search for a new coach is over.

The Boston Celtics coach spoke highly of Williams, who led Marquette's recruiting efforts as an assistant to Crean last season. Williams has spoken to Marquette officials about the job and may be emerging as the leading candidate now that Washington State's Tony Bennett and Xavier's Sean Miller appear to be taking a pass.

"Buzz wouldn't be a bad guy," said Rivers, a former Marquette player and current university trustee. "He'd be terrific. But they're going to interview a lot of guys, which they're already doing. We'll see. It's a tough loss. Tom was terrific. But we've got to keep going."

Crean was introduced as the new head coach at Indiana on Wednesday, leaving the school to search for a replacement.

Williams joined Crean's staff last July after one year as the head coach at the University of New Orleans. Before that, Williams was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons at Texas A&M under then-head coach Billy Gillispie.

Williams is a respected recruiter and would give the Golden Eagles a sense of continuity in the wake of Crean's sudden exit -- key strengths that could calm some incoming recruits who are believed to be wavering on their commitment to Marquette.

Rivers said he doesn't know Williams particularly well, but thinks he could do the job.

"I knew him through Tom and going to practices," said Rivers, who was in Charlotte for the Celtics' game against the Bobcats on Saturday night. "It would be terrific if he got it. We'll see."

Rivers said whomever ends up getting the job will have a chance to win right away. Guards Dominic James and Jerel McNeal are considering entering the NBA draft, but neither is considered a potential high first-round pick and might be persuaded to return next season.

"Next year is going to have a hell of a basketball team," Rivers said. "That's the one thing that Tom did well: he left the cupboards pretty full, and that's unusual, so that's good."

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AP Sports Writer Mike Cranston contributed to this report from Charlotte.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[denverMU]

The headline is a bit misleading.  It is not that much of an endorsemnt.  "Rivers said he doesn't know Williams particularly well",  "Buzz wouldn't be a bad guy," gee let's offer him 2MM a year based on that!!

[thatman32]

A endorsement from rivers doesn't mean a whole lot.  Even though it is helpful but he didn't even endorse him so the the article is interesting but the headline is very misleading.

[Henry Sugar]

A endorsement from rivers doesn't mean a whole lot.  Even though it is helpful but he didn't even endorse him so the the article is interesting but the headline is very misleading.

Isn't Rivers on the BoT?  If so, his opinion would actually matter.

What I actually found to be better was that he said they were going to interview a lot of guys.  Just from looking at reports online, one would think that Buzz was the only candidate receiving an interview.

[4everwarriors]

Jeremiah thought so much of the old regime that he chose Georgetown.

[jgfyanks08]

rivers knows nothing about buzz

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

Jeremiah thought so much of the old regime that he chose Georgetown.

Following the father isn't the easiest. See: Wesley Matthews. Works both ways.

l'Chaim!!!!

[Big Papi]

Jeremiah thought so much of the old regime that he chose Georgetown.

Boy you sure like to poke at MU.  Maybe Jeremiah realized he wasn't going to get any minutes until his senior season if he went to MU.  Or are you such good buds with Jeremiah that he in fact told you it was Crean and his staff?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

There is no doubt in my mind that they're floating Williams' name to gauge the reaction and this article is part of it.

After the "Gold" (and Golden Eagles) decision, they're afraid to make another controversial decision.

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

There is no doubt in my mind that they're floating Williams' name to gauge the reaction and this article is part of it.

After the "Gold" (and Golden Eagles) decision, they're afraid to make another controversial decision.

Going with what you're saying, where are they going to look for the "reaction"? Do you think the BoT is reading this board the last 3 days and says, "you know, ______ and ______ don't think Buzz is ready; maybe we should back off"

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

There is no doubt in my mind that they're floating Williams' name to gauge the reaction and this article is part of it.

After the "Gold" (and Golden Eagles) decision, they're afraid to make another controversial decision.

Going with what you're saying, where are they going to look for the "reaction"? Do you think the BoT is reading this board the last 3 days and says, "you know, ______ and ______ don't think Buzz is ready; maybe we should back off"

Bingo.

This board is a great place to talk about MU hoops... but let's not get carried away with ourselves.

We are dorks talking about basketball on the internet.

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

We are dorks talking about basketball on the internet.

Could be the only thing we all agree on 100%.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

There is no doubt in my mind that they're floating Williams' name to gauge the reaction and this article is part of it.

After the "Gold" (and Golden Eagles) decision, they're afraid to make another controversial decision.

Going with what you're saying, where are they going to look for the "reaction"? Do you think the BoT is reading this board the last 3 days and says, "you know, ______ and ______ don't think Buzz is ready; maybe we should back off"

These boards? Maybe, maybe not. But radio talk shows, feedback from constituents? Absolutely. No doubt about it.

[only a warrior]

what makes you think the BoT gives a rat's ass what anybody thinks?? 

[Coobeys Oil Depot]

There is no doubt in my mind that they're floating Williams' name to gauge the reaction and this article is part of it.

After the "Gold" (and Golden Eagles) decision, they're afraid to make another controversial decision.

Going with what you're saying, where are they going to look for the "reaction"? Do you think the BoT is reading this board the last 3 days and says, "you know, ______ and ______ don't think Buzz is ready; maybe we should back off"

These boards? Maybe, maybe not. But radio talk shows, feedback from constituents? Absolutely. No doubt about it.

Is that happening? Is the topic of Buzz being talked about a lot on Milwaukee radio? I wouldn't know.

I have a feeling they are busy with talk of the Brewers, Brett Favre's retirement, and how Brett Favre feels about his retirement.