Buzz Williams to Virginia Tech!?!

[BMoreX]

@GoodmanESPN: Buzz Williams deal with Virginia Tech is for 7 years, sources told ESPN.

[Pablo's Brother]

CBS just confirmed it too. Lateral move IMO.

[RoseyMuskie]

$$$$$$$$$$$

[The_Mack_Pack]

Wow.. That was unexpected. Marquette will not be very good next season.

[LadyMuskie]

Good, bad or indifferent for the Big East? Sucks to think we have another team having to adjust to a new coach just two years into the league.

[Xtemporaneous]

Jeesh... Prestige of ACC? Don't think he'll win there. Marquette will be down for a while...

[BMoreX]

Good, bad or indifferent for the Big East? Sucks to think we have another team having to adjust to a new coach just two years into the league.

I'd say bad for the conference. Don't like to see two high profile name coaches leave in less than a year.

[LadyMuskie]

That's what I was leaning toward as well.

[BMoreX]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 46s
Buzz Williams left Marquette for a variety of reasons, sources told ESPN. One of the biggest was new league/new TV package.

That would not be good for the conference, though if the sources are ESPN, the above could be meaningless.

FWIW, Marquette had a top 20 recruiting class coming in. We'll see who stays.

[BandAid]

I don't like him, but he was a good coach representing our conference. Now I really don't like him. What an asshat

[casualfan]

I'd say bad for the conference. Don't like to see two high profile name coaches leave in less than a year.

Yeah, this is not a great look for the conference. Rumors leaking out Buzz basically wanted out of the Big East in the worst way:

Gary Parrish ‏@GaryParrishCBS 3m
Folks keep asking “Why Virginia Tech?” Here’s the answer: Buzz basically decided to take the best job he could get right now, period.

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 1m
Buzz Williams left Marquette for a variety of reasons, sources told ESPN. One of the biggest was new league/new TV package.

[BMoreX]

Retweeted by Rick Broering
Gary Parrish ‏@GaryParrishCBS 4m

Sources have told @CBSSports that former UCLA coach Ben Howland is expected to be involved at Marquette.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Ben Howland as the replacement? It's too bad Bruce Pearl is already taken.

[BandAid]

Retweeted by Rick Broering
Gary Parrish ‏@GaryParrishCBS 4m

Sources have told @CBSSports that former UCLA coach Ben Howland is expected to be involved at Marquette.

He's also an asshat, but he wins

[Juice]

Jeesh... Prestige of ACC? Don't think he'll win there. Marquette will be down for a while...

He'll win. Who are the better coaches in the conference? Boeheim, Coach K, and Roy. He can recruit and coach better than everyone else.

[vee4xu]

Archie. Archie. Archie. Archie.

[LadyMuskie]

Wow. Those rumors, unsubstantiated or not, are not good for the league. Does he know something about the tv schedule the rest of us don't, or was he just a really big fan of the Bristol Sports Network?

[LadyMuskie]

Archie. Archie. Archie. Archie.

The head of every fan in dayton would explode simultaneously.

[MuskieFN]

Yeah, this is not a great look for the conference. Rumors leaking out Buzz basically wanted out of the Big East in the worst way:

Gary Parrish ‏@GaryParrishCBS 3m
Folks keep asking “Why Virginia Tech?” Here’s the answer: Buzz basically decided to take the best job he could get right now, period.

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanESPN 1m
Buzz Williams left Marquette for a variety of reasons, sources told ESPN. One of the biggest was new league/new TV package.


It's not a positive move for the BE in a PR sense, but I'm not sad to see him go. I got that sense from fans of the original 7 as well. I'm really rooting against him now.

[casualfan]

Wow. Those rumors, unsubstantiated or not, are not good for the league. Does he know something about the tv schedule the rest of us don't, or was he just a really big fan of the Bristol Sports Network?

I'm starting to wonder how hard it's going to be for teams to schedule high level non conference games.

I asked what our OOC schedule looks like for next year in another thread and haven't got a response.

[vee4xu]

Buzz is a Texas guy, no? I realize that VT is not Texas. Far from it. But, there must be something about this between Curly and the UM administration that may have led to the decision. My feeling is that the "establishment" BE will have some issues with the new version of the league and will make their unhappiness known by walking. Sure, VT can pay big bucks, but they don't offer anything more as part of the ACC. In fact, it can be argued that UM is a better job in the BE than VT is in the ACC. I am not too worried about this. if Jay Wright leaves Villanova for the same reasons, that would be a wake up call for me. But Curly is just voting with his feet based on some dissatisfaction that may be rooted in something between him and his school.

[BandAid]

They should make a run at the guy from Manhattan.

[LadyMuskie]

On the bright side, I'm beginning to think we can place in at least the top 3 of this league for the foreseeable future no matter how we play. :wink:

[vee4xu]

On the bright side, I'm beginning to think we can place in at least the top 3 of this league for the foreseeable future no matter how we play. :wink:

I'm hoping that's a good thing!!

[xudash]

Archie. Archie. Archie. Archie.

Sources that have been totally made up by me have identified that Archie Miller will take the Marquette job after Dayton loses tomorrow. Although the sources are completely made up, they accurately noted that UD is viewed as a stepping stone, and that Archie's acute sense of smell could no longer take Dayton and UD Arena.

[mistabeecee41]

On the Marquette board, a lot of chatter about him wanting to leave the Big East. A few comments faulting the "mid majors" they added.

I know it's not in good judgement use a few opinions of the majority opinion of their fan base but.... fuck them.

[casualfan]

On the Marquette board, a lot of chatter about him wanting to leave the Big East. A few comments faulting the "mid majors" they added.

I know it's not in good judgement use a few opinions of the majority opinion of their fan base but.... fuck them.


Ehh, idk. It sounds like issues with the league are related to him leaving.

Goodman had the news first and is also the one reporting Buzz had issues with the Big East, specifically the TV deal. I assume since he had the news first he got it from Buzz.

[Juice]

On the Marquette board, a lot of chatter about him wanting to leave the Big East. A few comments faulting the "mid majors" they added.

I know it's not in good judgement use a few opinions of the majority opinion of their fan base but.... fuck them.

Also odd that two of the "mid-majors" that were added both made the tournament and beat the shit out of Marquette this year.

[LadyMuskie]

On the Marquette board, a lot of chatter about him wanting to leave the Big East. A few comments faulting the "mid majors" they added.

I know it's not in good judgement use a few opinions of the majority opinion of their fan base but.... fuck them.

Because Marquette is a perennial basketball powerhouse from way back a la Duke and Kentucky. Please.

[MADXSTER]

also odd that two of the "mid-majors" that were added both made the tournament and beat the shit out of marquette this year.

this

[casualfan]

Here's an interesting tweet from Buzz in late January:

Buzz Williams ‏@TeamCoachBuzz Jan 24
When you look around & think about the group of people u spend ur time w/--If u r the smartest one in the group, u need to change who u r w/

[BandAid]

Rumor floating on MUScoop of an investigation as well...

[GuyFawkes38]

I can't imagine conference affiliation mattered much.

This tweet seems to be on to something:

@JohnGasaway: Yes, that would matter. RT @DarrenWolfson Why Buzz left, per sources: AD left in Dec., clause in contract changed buyout from $2M to 100K.

A quick glance at MUScoop show that it sounds like the MU administration is a mess now. Still, hard to believe Buzz would select Va Tech when there's Wake Forest available.

[casualfan]

Rumors out there Ed Cooley is a candidate for the BC job.

I can't see him taking that...

[BandAid]

Rumors out there Ed Cooley is a candidate for the BC job.

I can't see him taking that...

He was an asst at BC. Providence is a better job right now though. Although one could say that about Marq/Va Tech

[BandAid]

But while we're at it - Jay Wright to Wake Forest...huh? Anybody?
JTIII to...any other ACC openings?

[paulxu]

What the hell does being unhappy with the TV deal have to do with anything?
Was he getting paid under the table by ESPN and Fox cut off his spigot?
And this:

Buzz Williams ‏@TeamCoachBuzz Jan 24
When you look around & think about the group of people u spend ur time w/--If u r the smartest one in the group, u need to change who u r w/


I would think the AD and the President of the school might have asked him in passing..."so Buzz, you're a lot smarter than us?"
And that's suppose to improve at Tech? Good luck.

[casualfan]

What the hell does being unhappy with the TV deal have to do with anything?
Was he getting paid under the table by ESPN and Fox cut off his spigot?
And this:


I would think the AD and the President of the school might have asked him in passing..."so Buzz, you're a lot smarter than us?"
And that's suppose to improve at Tech? Good luck.

The guy went to the dance 5 out of 6 years including 2 sweet sixteens and an elite eight and by all accounts their AD and president were not very proficient (they have both recently resigned).

From some of the stuff I have read there's no doubt in mind he may have been the smartest guy in their AD.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Buzz should've waited a couple of days to see if OKST will can Ford.

[waggy]

I think blaming the conference is just an easy scapegoat. It's pretty rare when someone rips their former employer. Buzz is smarter than that.

[vee4xu]

I think blaming the conference is just an easy scapegoat. It's pretty rare when someone rips their former employer. Buzz is smarter than that.

Sure is. He's the smartest guy in the room Just ask him! :wink:

[THRILLHOUSE]

Buzz Williams likely left for the same reason every coach does: $$$$$$$

[GuyFawkes38]

Buzz Williams likely left for the same reason every coach does: $$$$$$$

Agreed, but is Va Tech paying more than Ok State, Wake, BC. There is def more to this story, IMHO.

[xsteve1]

Here's an interesting tweet from Buzz in late January:

Buzz Williams ‏@TeamCoachBuzz Jan 24
When you look around & think about the group of people u spend ur time w/--If u r the smartest one in the group, u need to change who u r w/


I really doubt that was about the league, especially with Georgetown still in the league.

[Juice]

I can't imagine conference affiliation mattered much.

This tweet seems to be on to something:

@JohnGasaway: Yes, that would matter. RT @DarrenWolfson Why Buzz left, per sources: AD left in Dec., clause in contract changed buyout from $2M to 100K.

A quick glance at MUScoop show that it sounds like the MU administration is a mess now. Still, hard to believe Buzz would select Va Tech when there's Wake Forest available.

Wake is traditionally a better program but as of right now I would rather be at Va Tech. Wellman is a mess at Wake. Va Tech can probably offer more money as well.

[waggy]

If we are to consider the ESPN/ACC as a competitor, then from that angle conference affiliation might have something to with this...

Ultimately success is about people. Buzz just might have been ripe for the picking.

[X-band '01]

I know Marquette changed their AD earlier this year; did they also have a new President at the school? Sometimes working with a different administration will cause concern on his end.

He was never going to be fired for one bad year out of 6, but it does make me wonder about Marquette in the long-term. Sounds like Buzz is getting out of Dodge.

[casualfan]

Buzz Williams likely left for the same reason every coach does: $$$$$$$

Not according to this. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/buzz-williams-hired-by-virginia-tech-to-coach-mens-basketball-team/2014/03/21/ef96eff6-b142-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html) The pertinent portion of the article:

ESPN reported that Williams signed a seven-year contract worth approximately $18 million, although no Virginia Tech official would confirm those figures.

If true, Williams took a pay cut after he earned approximately $2.8 million last year at Marquette, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

[xsteve1]

Not according to this. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/buzz-williams-hired-by-virginia-tech-to-coach-mens-basketball-team/2014/03/21/ef96eff6-b142-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html) The pertinent portion of the article:

ESPN reported that Williams signed a seven-year contract worth approximately $18 million, although no Virginia Tech official would confirm those figures.

If true, Williams took a pay cut after he earned approximately $2.8 million last year at Marquette, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

I think I read he was making 1.8 but was took a 1 million bonus and that was a one time payment.

[casualfan]

I think I read he was making 1.8 but was took a 1 million bonus and that was a one time payment.

I can't find anything that explicitly spells out his salary, but based on this (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/118960749.html) I'd assume his base was more than 1.8:

Terms were not disclosed, but it's expected the contract will take the form of a rollover that will pay Williams more than $2 million annually.

While the length of the new deal was not known, Williams' previous contract rolled over annually to keep it a six-year deal and paid him $1.6 the past year. It had been scheduled to increase to $1.7 million this year.

[casualfan]

Here (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/marquette-coach-buzz-williams-earnings-top-18-million-b9917790z1-208768771.html) is more on his salary arrangement with Marquette. From the article:

Buzz Williams, head coach of the Marquette men's basketball team, earned $1,888,881 in the year ending June 30 last year, according to tax records released Thursday by the school.

In addition, Team Buzz Williams LP, with Williams as a partner, was paid an additional $1 million for professional services.

[SM#24]

Unless he has a great deal of conflict with Marq admin, this move is short sighted. Five years from now, he'll wish he was still at Marq.

[Pete Delkus]

This is the best news I have heard all day. Buzz Williams is a complete d-bagger who will wind up blowing his money on a Ponzi scheme, and giving r and tugs for left overs from Los Pollos Hermanos.

[X-band '01]

Rumor floating on MUScoop of an investigation as well...

I just saw the thread on that board - there was also a post that allegedly came from Marquette's compliance office (may or may not be legit) urging that unsubstantiated rumors not be posted on that thread.

Their fans are melting down right now.

[BandAid]

I just saw the thread on that board - there was also a post that allegedly came from Marquette's compliance office (may or may not be legit) urging that unsubstantiated rumors not be posted on that thread.

Their fans are melting down right now.
Ya, the compliance officer's post was after I wrote mine here. I hope it's true. The Big East needs as many good teams as possible. An investigation would suck.

There's still something fishy about Buzz's abrupt departure. I wonder if we will ever get the full story.

[SM#24]

This is the best news I have heard all day. Buzz Williams is a complete d-bagger who will wind up blowing his money on a Ponzi scheme, and giving r and tugs for left overs from Los Pollos Hermanos.
I agree with some of this. From everything I've read, it seems like Buzz is a good guy, but I certainly will not miss that nauseating sideline act of his.

[xavierj]

Maybe Buzz doesnt like the challenge of having to fight teams that are not inflated by by the ESPN media machine. He is scared that he will have a hard time beating Butler and Xavier in the future. Virginia Tech has never been good and he won't change that.

[sirthought]

I find it so laughable at the number of coaches people on this board love to hate. Buzz Williams is a great coach and seems like a stand up guy to me. His teams are always strong competition.

Va Tech has a new AD, Whit Babcock, from UC. He has a history of making big-name hires. (Tommy Tubervile and all the other coaches who are not Mick Cronin) While Williams might not be as big a name as Howland or maybe Pearl, he's likely got the least baggage of the bigger names and the most upside. He's young, well-known, and has a system that has won against strong competition.

Whether you think his move was about conference/TV package or salary, I think it was more a result of a skilled AD making a pitch to Williams and he decided to go for it while the winds were changing at MU and his team wasn't at it's peak.

If Williams has another average season at MU, his attractiveness for other good jobs only diminishes. So, strike while you still can might be the motivation.

[Masterofreality]

I'd say bad for the conference. Don't like to see two high profile name coaches leave in less than a year.

Agree. No positive here.

I would bet there is something where he's one step ahead of the sheriff on his way out of town.

[Juice]

Agree. No positive here.

I would bet there is something where he's one step ahead of the sheriff on his way out of town.

Yeah, I'm definitely hoping his move to Va Tech has more to do with the situation at Marquette than with the BE conference.

[apoclater]

Marquette fan here. Firstly, I want to say that all the comments about MU fans being upset at the team adds (Butler, Xavier, Creighton) are either a vocal minority and/or ignorant minority. Would I would rather still be playing Pitt, Syracuse and Louisville? Yes. I assume many Xavier fans would be if they had the chance. But in terms of finally finding the "right" fit for a conference, we couldn't be happier adding Xavier and the others to the Big East.

That being said, there is something HIGHLY fishy about Buzz's departure. With all of the incidents (players getting in fights, alleged sexual assaults, Buzz/AD conflicts) that have haunted Marquette basketball these past few years, it's a wonder it took Buzz this long to either leave or be shown the door. Yes Marquette has had an extremely successful tourney streak and run under Buzz. Yes, Buzz gives the impression of having high morals and the "aw shucks" dumb country boy attitude - but I honestly think it's a facade.

Something stinks about him leaving. Why leave for a pay cut? Why leave for the bottom-dweller of the ACC, who has no tourney history? Why leave for a school that frankly, is a coaching graveyard? Buzz has always said he will stay as long as Marquette will have him. Most in the Marquette community think he was shown the door after some sort of recruiting violation occurred, and we'll hear about an investigation in the next few weeks that will follow Buzz. He's had a nice run at Marquette--but all is not forgiven just because he won. For a guy who spoke about character, family, and community, this move is far from those values. It's a self-serving backward jump.

Ben Howland is rumored to be extremely interested in the coaching job. Gregg Marshall, Shaka, and others have been mentioned as other potential candidates. Marquette will be fine.

[paulxu]

I find it so laughable at the number of coaches people on this board love to hate. Buzz Williams is a great coach and seems like a stand up guy to me. His teams are always strong competition.

This may be true, but he hurts my eyeballs watching him coach a game.

[Masterofreality]

Marquette fan here. Firstly, I want to say that all the comments about MU fans being upset at the team adds (Butler, Xavier, Creighton) are either a vocal minority and/or ignorant minority. Would I would rather still be playing Pitt, Syracuse and Louisville? Yes. I assume many Xavier fans would be if they had the chance. But in terms of finally finding the "right" fit for a conference, we couldn't be happier adding Xavier and the others to the Big East.

That being said, there is something HIGHLY fishy about Buzz's departure. With all of the incidents (players getting in fights, alleged sexual assaults, Buzz/AD conflicts) that have haunted Marquette basketball these past few years, it's a wonder it took Buzz this long to either leave or be shown the door. Yes Marquette has had an extremely successful tourney streak and run under Buzz. Yes, Buzz gives the impression of having high morals and the "aw shucks" dumb country boy attitude - but I honestly think it's a facade.

Something stinks about him leaving. Why leave for a pay cut? Why leave for the bottom-dweller of the ACC, who has no tourney history? Why leave for a school that frankly, is a coaching graveyard? Buzz has always said he will stay as long as Marquette will have him. Most in the Marquette community think he was shown the door after some sort of recruiting violation occurred, and we'll hear about an investigation in the next few weeks that will follow Buzz. He's had a nice run at Marquette--but all is not forgiven just because he won. For a guy who spoke about character, family, and community, this move is far from those values. It's a self-serving backward

Ben Howland is rumored to be extremely interested in the coaching job. Gregg Marshall, Shaka, and others have been mentioned as other potential candidates. Marquette will be fine.

Good. We need Marquette to be good.

[wkrq59]

Observation. As I've often said regarding coaches' salaries, "It's not what you make, it's what you have to spend to live in a certain area and maintain the standard of living expected of a coach. VPI in Blacksburg, Va. is the dominant entity in that community. It's athletic teams are covered regularly by papers and radio from all over the state--Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, etc. The university is the town. Period. There is little else to do but Virginia Tech. Football is king and Cassel Coliseum is a steeply tiered dump. It has changed little since the early to mid-80s when they were in the Metro Conference. You don't have to spend much to enjoy life in Blacksburg. Contrast that to Milwaukee and I can understand why some might like to live in Blacksburg. BUT, I don't think Buzz is that sort. Something just doesn't smell right, but there are plenty of good coaching candidates availale.

:lmao::blink::popcorn::dunno:

[American X]

I just do not understand this decision. Milwaukee is full of delicious beer, whereas Blacksburg is full of.....................turkeys?

[Masterofreality]

Interesting that Williams is leaving Marquette, in part, because he was dissatisfied with the TV deal with Fox Sports 1. What a spoiled Brat.

I do believe that every single Marquette game was nationally televised this year. Not only that, Marquette had 2 games on the Big Fox Network...more than any other Big East team. Never mind that Marquette looked like a bunch of grade schoolers trying to run offense against Ohio State and neither team scored above 45.

Hey Buzz. Here's some advice. Make your team play better, then people will watch and you have no problems.

There is something more to this in the background. Marquette will get Ben Howland or some other quality coach and be fine. Buzz will get his ass kicked in Blacksburg and will be coaching at Southwest Northern Central State of the Ozarks pretty soon.

Won't miss him.

[Cheesehead]

Observation. As I've often said regarding coaches' salaries, "It's not what you make, it's what you have to spend to live in a certain area and maintain the standard of living expected of a coach. VPI in Blacksburg, Va. is the dominant entity in that community. It's athletic teams are covered regularly by papers and radio from all over the state--Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Charlottesville, etc. The university is the town. Period. There is little else to do but Virginia Tech. Football is king and Cassel Coliseum is a steeply tiered dump. It has changed little since the early to mid-80s when they were in the Metro Conference. You don't have to spend much to enjoy life in Blacksburg. Contrast that to Milwaukee and I can understand why some might like to live in Blacksburg. BUT, I don't think Buzz is that sort. Something just doesn't smell right, but there are plenty of good coaching candidates availale.

:lmao::blink::popcorn::dunno:

As native Milwaukean, you can live VERY comfortably there w/ the money Buzz was making. I truly think there is something else going on here w/ Buzz. Tiff w/ AD and/or administration. Something w/in the program we don't know about. This move makes no sense to me at all and I thought it was a joke when I saw the headline. Could end up being a really bad move by Buzz for his career. Now, if you don't like the weather there, then I get it.

[RealDeal]

Miller lite time?

[casualfan]

Here (http://painttouches.com/2014/03/22/strotman-buzz-williams-kept-his-promise-to-himself/) is a nice post by a Marquette blog that talks about some of his reasons for leaving:

A source close to the situation told Paint Touches that part of Williams’ unhappiness stemmed from his growing concern with the future state of the Big East. The conference had lost significant luster in 2013 when the football schools departed for the ACC and the creation of the AAC, leaving the basketball schools to fend for themselves in a conference relegated to mid-major prominence, both on a playing scale and the recruiting trail.

Williams played the humble role to a tee during his time at Marquette, but he yearned for the spotlight. He wasn’t able to do that playing in a conference that ranked fourth in RPI but had little prominence on a national scale and, as we’ve detailed thoroughly all year, god-awful TV ratings.

For recruiting purposes, each 2013 recruit Paint Touches spoke to said the two things they were looking forward to most were 1) playing the likes of Syracuse and Louisville, and 2) playing at Madison Square Garden. And though the latter will continue, conference prestige plays a far greater role than it may seen on the surface. The 2014 recruiting class was able to watch Marquette play some of the nation’s best teams on ESPN before committing, but going forward recruiting undoubtedly was going to take a hit, making life more difficult on William


This is all very interesting to me. I had a friend in the coaching world reveal similar apprehension about the TV deal when it was first announced. I had texted him to congratulate him on the deal the league had signed and the response I got back was less than excitement. At the time he was not out and out worried, but was definitely apprehensive about it.

[wkrq59]

As native Milwaukean, you can live VERY comfortably there w/ the money Buzz was making. I truly think there is something else going on here w/ Buzz. Tiff w/ AD and/or administration. Something w/in the program we don't know about. This move makes no sense to me at all and I thought it was a joke when I saw the headline. Could end up being a really bad move by Buzz for his career. Now, if you don't like the weather there, then I get it.

Cheese, not intending to knock Milwaukee, one of my favorite cities until Karl Ratches closed. However, the total living experience, including what you spend to even flourish in Milwaukee compared to a bucolic existence where you're always going to be a celeb and seldom pick up a tab for your entertainment, etc. in f--ing Blacksburg, Va. will always be more expensive. Some like the bright lights and big city, the proximity to Chicago, while others prefer the peace and quiet of Blacksburg f--ing Va. One huge drawback about Blacksburg is you can't fly in there unless youhave a Wright Bros Loaner. Gotta go to Roakoke where the aircurrents are always a challenge and planes coming and going have an extra supply of barf bags. But I agree, something's amiss.

[GuyFawkes38]

It's hard to believe that concern over the new conference's lack of "luster" would drive him to Blacksburg Virginia. You can't go to a basketball program with less "luster". It's not possible. Something else is up here.

[xavierj]

It's hard to believe that concern over the new conference's lack of "luster" would drive him to Blacksburg Virginia. You can't go to a basketball program with less "luster". It's not possible. Something else is up here.

Not to mention some decent players coming back at Marquette and three solid top 100 4 star recruits coming in. There is a lot more than being unhappy with the big east and the TV contract. So he was making more money and had a better chance of success at Marquette but he leaves for a crap team in a conference where he will have a hard time winning making slightly less money. Makes no sense. He is getting out ahead of the crap coming their way.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Look how important hoops are to Va Tech. They don't even know who their coach is....that pic ain't Buzz.....

http://www.hokiesports.com/staff/williams_buzz.html


Edit: Well, looks like they changed it. How would you feel if you just got hired and on your new profile page, they had someone else's picture? Feel the Hokie love, Buzz.

[LA Muskie]

When I read "problems with TV deal" I inferred "problems with TV-imposed schedule." He's not the only BE coach to complain about that (Mack did as well) but I find it hard to believe that's a reason for leaving.

[Cheesehead]

Cheese, not intending to knock Milwaukee, one of my favorite cities until Karl Ratches closed. However, the total living experience, including what you spend to even flourish in Milwaukee compared to a bucolic existence where you're always going to be a celeb and seldom pick up a tab for your entertainment, etc. in f--ing Blacksburg, Va. will always be more expensive. Some like the bright lights and big city, the proximity to Chicago, while others prefer the peace and quiet of Blacksburg f--ing Va. One huge drawback about Blacksburg is you can't fly in there unless youhave a Wright Bros Loaner. Gotta go to Roakoke where the aircurrents are always a challenge and planes coming and going have an extra supply of barf bags. But I agree, something's amiss.

True, Q. Milwaukee is no Blacksburg and that's a good thing! :lmao:

[casualfan]

When I read "problems with TV deal" I inferred "problems with TV-imposed schedule." He's not the only BE coach to complain about that (Mack did as well) but I find it hard to believe that's a reason for leaving.

Everything I have seen about his issues with the TV deal have talked about the lack of exposure.

[waggy]

This FS1 TV package excuse is garbage.

[LA Muskie]

Everything I have seen about his issues with the TV deal have talked about the lack of exposure.

Ah. OK. Well the ratings did suck. But he and his team have as much to do with that as anything. They were probably the biggest disappointment in the league this year.

[BlueGuy]

I just did a quick google search on this topic and read a few articles on the coaching move. Almost every article seems to mention the Big East becoming a mid major conf. I get that the ACC is currently a better conf than the Big East. Hard to argue otherwise. But mid major? Wow.


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[xavierj]

I just did a quick google search on this topic and read a few articles on the coaching move. Almost every article seems to mention the Big East becoming a mid major conf. I get that the ACC is currently a better conf than the Big East. Hard to argue otherwise. But mid major? Wow.


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Well the big media will try to spin it that way but facts say otherwise. The recruiting, arenas, attendance, results and being a top 3 or 4 conference every year will say otherwise. The problem is PR and size of the universitys.

[paulxu]

Sweet Jesus I'm tired of reading about the dis job the other networks are spending on us.
In my dreams it's Nova and Creighton in the final and all these guys are choking on it.

[StanleyOwnsYou]

Buzz was just on CBS AT&T at the Half in Studio in New York. He skated around the question of why he left which Gumble asked. Said He was in Milwaukee Last night then Blacksburg and now New York today.

[GIMMFD]

I'm very confused about this situation, Virginia Tech isn't an attractive job offer for a college coach, they haven't been to the tournament since 2007, and the last good player out of VT was probably Bimbo Coles. I'm also surprised Johnson was fired after only two years of coaching, talk about no time to even set-up his own ideals and view points.

[Cheesehead]

Buzz was just on CBS AT&T at the Half in Studio in New York. He skated around the question of why he left which Gumble asked. Said He was in Milwaukee Last night then Blacksburg and now New York today.

He just didn't skate around the question, he flat didn't answer the question at all. As a long-time Marquette fan, something stinks here and it will come out in due time. This just doesn't add up. My only concern is that Marquette doesn't get hit w/ some type of sanctions thanks to "aw shucks" Buzz.

[CinciX12]

Virginia Tech basketball has got to be the closest thing to career suicide at the moment that I can fathom. It will take him 5+ years to even finish in the top half of the conference. He virtually has no shot to win the conference, EVER. That will happen the same year as my Browns win the AFC North.

What in the world is going on here? Because there has to be waaaay more to this story than both sides are letting on about.

[CinciX12]

I just did a quick google search on this topic and read a few articles on the coaching move. Almost every article seems to mention the Big East becoming a mid major conf. I get that the ACC is currently a better conf than the Big East. Hard to argue otherwise. But mid major? Wow.


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You are reading articles from ESPN and CBS most likely. Both of those have a direct interest in Fox Sports' new tv network falling flat on its face.

If the hellhole in Bristol had exclusive Big East rights they would be saying how stupid he is to be leaving Marquette. The politics of even college basketball nowadays are way too nauseatingly predictable.