Nice comments from Buzz's former employers. Gillespi and Layer

[ChicosBailBonds]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=737064

[rocky_warrior]

I like to hear this stuff

"He earned his stripes forging relationships with high school coaches and players and he made his name by his recruiting expertise," Layer said. "But those of us who work with him and know him the best know his passion for the game, his understanding of X's and O's, his ability to run practice. He is not just a recruiting coach."

I am anxious to hear who Buzz can get for his staff.  Sounds like he has lots of good contacts - and right now my biggest fear is that he tries to do too much by himself without getting some good help first. 

Sounds like he'll be a great closer once he gets some trusted "lead recruiters" in here.

[Knight Commission]

I would rather hear a testimony (or some) from coaches whom he never worked for directly.

[Norm]

What are Gillespie and Layer supposed to say, that he's a terrible hire?

[IAmMarquette]

I would rather hear a testimony (or some) from coaches whom he never worked for directly.

Why? When seeking references don't you get them from the people who know you best, i.e. those for whom you've worked? Wouldn't they be able to provide the most accurate assessment?

[Daniel]

I don;t mind people who actually know him well telling us what they think - even if they may have a vested interest in his success.  Who else knows him better and can tell us what they think?

[shaquilvaine]

Glad to hear he is well liked and respected.  Unlike our previous coach, maybe we'll have some stability among the assistant coaches instead of an assistant "leaving for a better opportunity" each year like Lewis university.  Lets hope Buzz is a little easier to work for. 

[Knight Commission]

Give me some third party validation.

I would think a pundit with some credibilitity has some thoughts on this hire.  

Its not bad to hear from his former coaches, but we all know that mens college bballl is a fraternity...Silence is golden.  

[Norm]

The analysts/pundits seem to be underwhelmed by Buzz getting the job. If I recall correctly, MU was getting praise from the pundit crowd for the Crean hire. Maybe Tom already had deeper relationships with them during his assistant years, but there did seem to be a better response from the analysts when MU hired him away from MSU.

[Knight Commission]

Lets face the facts...it was a bad hire. Tough to paint a pretty face on this.  That doesnt mean he wont succeed. That doesnt mean he is slime. I think it just means it was a bad hire.

We can only hope.

[IAmMarquette]

Give me some third party validation.

I would think a pundit with some credibilitity has some thoughts on this hire. 

Its not bad to hear from his former coaches, but we all know that mens college bballl is a fraternity...Silence is golden. 

Here you go:
"Buzz Williams is one of the up-and-coming head coaches in the country. He is a tireless recruiter and possesses many of the same attributes which have made Tom Crean a success. Not only can he recruit, but he's also proven he can coach and handle adversity with the season he spent at New Orleans."
Jeff Goodman
FoxSports.com

[mviale]

BS - Buzz should be given the same chance Oneill and Crean both had when they came to Marquette.  Buzz has a head start on those guys as he has relationships with the team and head coaching experience.