Thoughts on Buzz Williams Being the New Marquette Coach

When the search started, I supported Buzz, especially if Marquette could not land the home run hire. Despite coming pretty close to landing Tony Bennett (Vinnie's nightmare), Marquette has decided to go with Buzz Williams and I think this would be a very good move. During my time following Marquette, Williams definitely seemed to the best assistant the former coach decided to bring on board. He immediately played a big role in salvaging what looked to be another disappointing recruiting class by using his Texas roots to land sleeper wing Joseph Fulce and raw but talented big man Chris O'Tule. Buzz also played a major role in helping Marquette land big time guard Tyshawn Taylor of St. Anthony's, and I still think Buzz has a chance to keep Taylor on board (as much as any of the prospective hires). Also, the hire of Buzz should ensure that Marquette's major commitment from 2009, top 100 Texas wing Erik Williams, will stay on board. The most important factor in all of this would be that the core of a very strong Big East team, including the four all-conference level upperclassmen (Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews and Lazar Hayward), should now be back for a 2009 season that features a group with a lot to prove still (with their head coach himself looking to prove a lot of people wrong).

Now, as a strong Buzz supporter, there would no question that this would be a gamble, as his head coaching slate would basically be clean (his one year at New Orleans a wash in my opinion). However, I think his recruiting prowess should ensure that we will continue to have talent to win and potentially win big. Along with the former head coach here, Buzz comes with a strong recommendation from one of the best in the biz currently, Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie (whom Buzz partnered with at Texas A&M to get the Aggies program off the ground and into the national spotlight). If you make a mistake in hiring a coach, you do so erring on the side of recruiting. For all of the hand wringing, my guess is that a similar reaction occurred from some Pitt fans when they chose to promote Jamie Dixon in 2003 (a good framework for how the Buzz era will go at Marquette in my estimations). Five NCAA Tournaments, 2 Sweet 16's and five straight seasons of double digit Big East wins, and Dixon would be one the hottest coaching commodities on the market (and potentially could be in contention for a potential Kansas opening should Self take the money and come home). I have a good feeling that five years from now, Marquette will be hoping to keep their hot young coach who has amassed a very successful run of his own here. It did not take much for me to jump on board Buzz's bandwagon where he came here as in professing him to be a hot young coach, and I think many of the dissenters will be jumping on board pretty soon when we see what he's capable of on the recruiting trail.

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Marquette Coaching Search Update

Unfortunately, I would not be typing this from the riverwalk as I search the streets of San Antonio (or Austin, Texas) for the next Marquette coach. Anyway, here would be what I have been able to ascertain so far. Edited in to throw a few more names appeared to be interested as of this afternoon.

1. I do believe the reports that Sean Miller, Anthony Grant, and Tony Bennett to be out of consideration accurate. While I would rule nothing out yet, previous knowledge of their situations leads to believe the reports to be true.

2. On the other hand, it looks like Chris Lowery, Brad Brownell and Bob McKillop would indeed be interested and could be potential candidates.

3. Buzz Williams would definitely be getting a hard look, and would likely be the players choice. I'm gone back and forth on Buzz, but in the end I would not mind due to his strong recruiting prowess.

4. Any other candidate lists would be educated guesses, as this search committee will leak nothing and deal in secrecy. I'm sure feelers have been sent out already and your responses have seen from guys saying there out to be their reaction to the feelers.

5. In a lot of cases, denials of interest start taking place when something else would be in the works. Also, there will generally be smoke screens sent out (Buzz Williams heading back from Final Four to Milwaukee for a "formal interview" could be an excellent example of this) to hide what would really be going in negotiations behind the scenes. Lon Kruger was the smoke screen in the Crean case, with Indiana fans believing Kruger to be the candidate minutes before Crean took the job.

6. I have a hunch it will be Buzz or some big named candidate not seriously mentioned. My faith in a big name candidate comes solely from Cottingham's motivation to make an impact and his private reaction to this whole situation. However, my guess would be as good as yours.

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Advice to the Marquette search committee

Why not help me find the next Marquette coach. While I'm confident in your ability to a good job and think the worse case scenario (Brad Brownell) would still do a good job, why not bring aboard a youthful enthusiast of the program who has a strong knowledge of the college basketball landscape. It may not work out, but I would bring the mentality of think big or go home. Marquette has a ton to offer despite what Crean's sheep in the media would like you to believe (money talks and bullshit walks away to Bloomington). Also, you can guarantee I would not leak anything to the media (At least correct info that is, I would love to see Andy Katz and Seth Davis continue to look like the fools they are). I have plenty of time on my hands and would offer services very cheaply. Besides, San Antonio could really use a fat Marquette fan wanting to make a presence. Hell, this may not even be the most ridiculous thought ever posted here.

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Where Do We Go Now?

For the cruelest April Fools Joke ever presented to me, Tom Crean has taken the first plane to Indiana here, leaving Marquette in the always fun position of looking for a new head coach. Also, the manner in which he left, refusing to contact current players and incoming recruits, has thrown out nine years of good will Crean worked to establish. I can understand Crean deciding to take the gamble in turning Indiana around, but have the professionalism to be up front about it to your players.

Meanwhile, Marquette has plenty of positives to sell a prospective head coach: state of the art practice facilities in Al McGuire Center, strong compensation package for the right coach (Crean made 1.7 million per year, plus the Brinks truck Indiana just backed up at the Al for Crean's buyout), and the ability to compete in the best league in America with the Big East. Now, who should be the lucky candidate to help lead Marquette in the future.

Buzz Williams: He would likely keep everyone on the current together (except potentially James), and probably all of our recruits except Nick Williams (including top 2008 prospect Tyshawn Taylor and 2009 prospect Erik Williams). He can definitely recruit at the level we need, and at this point I would be willing to gamble that he can handle the other parts of job as bringing talent in would be by far most important aspect of the job.

Anthony Grant: Yes, I have been riding this guys jock for over a year now (and Jeremy Foley did a 100 yard dash to lure him in when it looked like Billy Donovan was leaving for Orlando Magic). He played a big role in luring Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Joakim Noah and Taurean Green to Florida, and has won big in his two seasons at VCU (52 wins, two Colonial conference titles, NCAA win over Duke). A dynamic young recruiter, I think Grant could do an excellent job selling Marquette and have us competing at the top of the Big East.

Mark Fox: A name that just recently popped in my mind, but has a very good track record at Nevada (three NCAA Tournaments appearances, three WAC titles) and has an outstanding recruiting signed at Nevada (McDonald's All-American Luke Babbitt, Scout top 100 player Mark McLaughlin, former Indiana wing Joey Shaw). Also, along with the more heralded Nick Fazekas and Ramon Sessions, Fox has developed a future NBA player in JaVale McGee and looks to be sly as a fox (not quite the math teacher look that he somewhat resembles) on the recruiting trail.

Sean Miller: I'm not sure if Miller leaves Xavier before the Pitt job opens up, but probably worth a call just in case. I am still a little hesitant to believe if he's as good as his track record (three NCAA appearances, an Elite 8 this season, two A-10 titles). Like Fox, Miller really proved himself in recruiting this past season by signing top 50 big man Kenny Frease and talented guards Mark Lyons and Brad Redford. He did benefit by inheriting a roster with Stanley Burrell and Josh Duncan (with Thad Matta doing most of heavy lifting in the Derrick Brown and B.J. Raymond recruitments), but it looks Miller would be capable of building a roster on his own and he would may be the safest pick of this group.

Now, candidates such as Mike Anderson from Missouri (love the up-tempo style, not a big fan of Mizzou's disciplinary problems), Brad Brownell from Wright State and Chris Lowery from Southern Illinois could also be solid candidates. However, the top four guys on my list would be an excellent framework to start and hopefully end from.

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