Williams, Marquette close to deal

[seniorsooner]

Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball coach Buzz Williams leaves Thursday for the Final Four in Houston. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, he will do so having already agreed to terms on a new contract.

Williams said Tuesday that talks began in earnest with the MU administration on Monday and have already progressed to the point that the deal should be finalized in the next few days.

"Everything has progressed at the rate that I have anticipated," Williams said, "and I have great comfort in saying that my goal is by Thursday to have it all done."

Williams has been the top target of Oklahoma, which is trying to fill the vacancy left after Jeff Capel was fired earlier this month.

The contract under which Williams has worked is a six-year rollover deal. His new contract is expected to take the same form and pay him more than $2 million a year.

Williams, 38, led the Golden Eagles to a 22-15 record in the recently completed season and to their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2003.

Williams' record in three seasons with MU is 69-37.


http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/118885709.html

 

[ouboomer]

i am too the point that all i have to say is....who cares........ good for Buzz and Marquette, he is a good coach just need OU to find a good one too now....

 

[trueou]

So Buzz just shut up and sign your frickin contract already. We are ready to move on.

 

[Section31]

If Buzz TRULY wants the OU job, I bet he's friggin sick over this buyout issue...

 

[Shooterms]

If Buzz TRULY wants the OU job, I bet he's friggin sick over this buyout issue...

I think his contract "negotiation" is taking as long as it is, because he is hoping OU will decide to come up with the buyout money. When he said he expected to have it done by Thursday before he leaves for the FF, it almost sounded like a message to Joe. If he really wanted to stay at MU and wasn't interested in going anywhere else, he'd have already signed. It's not that complicated.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I think his contract "negotiation" is taking as long as it is, because he is hoping OU will decide to come up with the buyout money. When he said he expected to have it done by Thursday before he leaves for the FF, it almost sounded like a message to Joe. If he really wanted to stay at MU and wasn't interested in going anywhere else, he'd have already signed. It's not that complicated.

That is true...you like where you are at and the deal is in place, easy to sign off on.

 

[MichSooner]

So Buzz just shut up and sign your frickin contract already. We are ready to move on.

:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap

 

[coolm]

Schools don't want a coach who wants to leave. If they knew beyond a doubt that he wanted out vice just wanted more money then the buyout would go down to a manageable level.

This is all still in Buzz's hands to change.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

Please...Buzz has played it perfectly and that doesn't begrudge him anything.

He got a better deal. We weren't willing to pay up (which makes me wonder about the committment to men's basketball).

End of story.

 

[FlounderinDC]

Please...Buzz has played it perfectly and that doesn't begrudge him anything.

He got a better deal. We weren't willing to pay up (which makes me wonder about the committment to men's basketball).

End of story.

OK, I don't think "pay up" is the best way to look at this. Why over pay for someone who may not necessarily be worth it? I understand being competitive and producing a good offer, but just blindly throwing money at problems isn't necessarily the best answer to them.

Bidding wars set a slippery slope. If we are indeed "low balling" that is one thing, but not freaking out and overpaying for something is good too. I think there is a difference between overpaying and "committment to basketball".

 

[WTFChuck]

http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/033011aaa.html

March 30, 2011


Marquette University and men's basketball coach Buzz Williams have finalized a new agreement with the school, Director of Athletics Steve Cottingham announced Wednesday afternoon.

"The new agreement is an acknowledgement of Buzz's standing as one of the rising stars in collegiate coaching," Cottingham said. "The current direction of the program under his leadership fits perfectly into the mission and values of the University. Buzz has done a tremendous job guiding the program to successes both on and off the court and we look forward to that continuing for many years to come."


The Golden Eagles have advanced to the NCAA Tournament each of Williams' first three seasons as program mentor, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2010-11. MU is 69-37 (.651) overall during his tenure and 32-22 (.593) in BIG EAST Conference competition. Williams and his staff have collected multiple nationally ranked recruiting classes and attendance at the Bradley Center has reached record numbers since the 2008-09 campaign.


"I was given an opportunity beyond my wildest dreams 1086 days ago and my entire family is extremely humbled and grateful by the opportunity to continue this journey," Williams said.


"Too much attention is given to my position, but I assure you, it's the collective ownership of all of those who impact our program daily, who have developed the culture we currently have," Williams added. "I am thankful to all of those who work so diligently to make our program the success it is today."


Specific terms of the contract will not be released per University policy.

 

[boksooner]

I will be interested to see how much of a raise that we got our pal Buzz. You're welcome.

 

[WTFChuck]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/118938759.html

Buzz Williams got his wish a day early.

Wanting to sign a new contract with Marquette University before he left for the Final Four in Houston, the Golden Eagles' coach did just that on Wednesday, signing a sweetened deal that ends any speculation he might leave for the open job at Oklahoma.

Terms were not disclosed, but it's believed the contract will again be in the form of a rollover and pay Williams in excess of $2 million annually.

"I was given an opportunity beyond my wildest dreams 1,086 days ago and my entire family is extremely humbled and grateful by the opportunity to continue this journey,” Williams said in a statement released by the school.

“Too much attention is given to my position, but I assure you, it’s the collective ownership of all of those who impact our program daily, who have developed the culture we currently have. I am thankful to all of those who work so diligently to make our program the success it is today.”

Williams, 38, is just five days removed from an 81-63 loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. Outcome aside, it was MU's first Sweet 16 appearance since 2003, and that success, along with his youth and ability to recruit, made him a prime target of schools looking to fill coaching vacancies.

Arkansas was the first, but after the school hired Mike Anderson away from Missouri, Oklahoma reportedly became Williams' primary suitor.

With a 69-37 record at MU, Williams has led the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Tournament in each of his three seasons.

“The new agreement is an acknowledgement of Buzz’s standing as one of the rising stars in collegiate coaching,” athletic director Steve Cottingham said.

“The current direction of the program under his leadership fits perfectly into the mission and values of the University. Buzz has done a tremendous job guiding the program to successes both on and off the court and we look forward to that continuing for many years to come.”

 

[seniorsooner]

Thanks for the memories Buzz. It's been a fun couple of weeks.

 

[Max Power]

I will be interested to see how much of a raise that we got our pal Buzz. You're welcome.

Since Marquette is a private university it will all be hearsay as to the actual numbers