Buzz Williams to Va Tech

[Crocker's Long Sleeves]

A lot of people wanted Buzz to take over after the Capel cluster, me included. Seems like a step down in terms of programs. Thoughts?

 

[pnkranger]

I think it's more about conference at this point...and $$$.

Also, I wonder if we can pick up any of their recruits.

 

[schoonerdriver]

I'm was surprised when I saw that go across the screen. I think Marquette is a better job than Va Tech.

...but I am not sure what conference Marquette is even in any more. Still Big East?

 

[opsooner]

I remember when the Marquette homer was over here saying Williams would never leave Marquette for OU - saying that Marquette was a much better basketball school. I guess Va Tech is a much better basketball school than Marquette.

 

[MercedeSooner]

A lot of people wanted Buzz to take over after the Capel cluster, me included. Seems like a step down in terms of programs. Thoughts?

When I heard about it earlier today I looked around to see what Marquette people were saying and there is a lot of talk that Buzz was really unhappy there. The main obstacle to him leaving before being that crazy buyout (which was something like 2M) - supposedly that went down to 200K this year or he probably would have left last year to a school like Minnesota.

Some talk about him being an absolute maniac to work with/for and that he didn't get along with many people in the school - also despised the new conference that Marquette was in and that was the main sticking point for him wanting to leave.

Also smoke about him possibly being in NCAA trouble which makes sense - if you are someone in his position how do you leave to a nowhere job like Va Tech unless you're either pushed out or are just looking to take whatever job is available ASAP ? It's not a pay raise either since the numbers being bantered around are that he was making 2.8 at Marquette and will only be getting 2.4 at Va Tech.

 

[JBaker]

Very odd...
He was a hot name for our job before Kruger, but he deflected the rumors and took an extension to stay at Marquette. I don't know if Joe C. actually contacted him or not, but I would be surprised if he didn't.

Weird to see him to to such a nothing school like Va Tech. We've only been to two fewer NCAA tournaments in the last decade than they have been to all time. And 4 of the years in our last decade have been some of the worst in program history.

 

[BoulderSooner]

I think it's more about conference at this point...and $$$.

Also, I wonder if we can pick up any of their recruits.

If he had anther non tourney season next year he would have been on the hot seat

 

[cosmic_sooner]

Yes, quite odd to say the least. I was very big on him post-Capel and even for a couple years.

From the surface, it can be said that those manic type of coaches (from appearances) really do have a shelf life before either they or the school needs a change.

VaTech is in the ACC and has plenty of room to grow and potential. There really are no expectations and he may not want the immediate hot seat that a larger/better program would have come with. Plus, the academics must be much easier for guys and Juco's to get in to there versus Marquette.

And with Marquette, perhaps he thought he saw his ceiling there.

 

[Sawyer]

I've read that at least one of their recruits might open things back up (Ahmed Hill).

They've got a nice looking class: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/commitments/2014/marquette-653

 

[Sawyer]

Also, just saw that VT was paying their lass coach less than $700k/year. That's ridiculous. Maybe they're actually going to get serious about basketball.

VT's new AD (hired in January) seems to be trying to make a statement here.

 

[WTSooner]

Steve Wojciechowski to Marquette.

 

[jerry]

Steve Wojciechowski to Marquette.

I think Wojo will be a good head coach.