ZagsBlog source doesn't think Buzz takes the OU job

[Boomah]

FWIW.....

NEWARK -- It’s never a good idea to ask a coach after an NCAA Tournament loss if he plans on leaving for another job.

It’s certainly never a good idea to ask him publicly. You know, in a room full of reporters. When he’s in front of a microphone.

At least not if you want a shred of truth in the answer.

Why, just last week an intrepid reporter ask then-Missouri coach Mike Anderson after his team lost to Cincinnati in the first round if he wanted to address rumors linking him to the Arkansas job.

“I’m excited about what’s taking place at Missouri and I plan on being at Missouri,” Anderson told reporters at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. “That’s the bottom line.”

Six days later, of course, Anderson was introduced as the new coach at Arkansas.

And so, it probably wasn’t prudent to raise the subject with Marquette coach Buzz Williams after his team was shellacked by North Carolina, 81-63, in an East Regional semifinal here at The Prudential Center.

Still, a source close to Williams said immediately after the loss that he doubted Williams would leave for Oklahoma, a job to which he’s been linked.

“I don’t think so,” the source said.

The source did say that if Rick Barnes, a Hickory, N.C. native, were to leave Texas for N.C. State, things could change dramatically and Williams would be interested in coaching the Longhorns.

“If Rick Barnes leaves, that’s another story,” the source said.

The folksy Williams grew up in Van Alstyne, Texas and graduated from Oklahoma City University.

Barnes turned down the N.C. State situation in 2006, but has been floated as a potential candidate there now. The source said the N.C. State job could pay what the top college coaches make: at least $2-$3 million annually. Arizona’s Sean Miller, whose team thrashed defending champion Duke Friday night in a West Regional semifinal, has also been linked to the job.

As far as Williams, Tulsa World columnist Dave Sittler reported that, contrary to reports, Williams, 38, doesn’t have a $3.8 million buyout clause in his contract.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Williams has a six-year rollover contract that pays him about $1.5 million annually.

The source confirmed that Williams’ buyout was in the seven-figure range, but added that it “goes down in two weeks.”

Obviously, then, it’s in Williams interest to make a decision sooner rather than later.

Coming off a Sweet 16 appearance, Williams could conceivably command in the $2-2.5 million range to clean up the mess left behind by former Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel.

The question is whether Williams wants to return to his roots badly enough to leave a gritty Marquette team that loses only two key players in Jimmy Butler and Joseph Fulce.

His players want him back.

“I hope Coach Buzz comes back,” sophomore point guard Junior Cadougan said in the losing locker room. “He really taught me a lot. He’s a wonderful person. He just wants you to do right and work hard and that’s what he teaches you.”

Marquette also has a three-man recruiting class including shooting guard Todd Mayo of Notre Dame Prep.

“We’re just coming in with the mindset that we want to be better than we were this year and we’ve gotta work hard,” Cadougan said.

Complicating matters at Marquette is the issue of whether assistant Aki Collins could leave for the Fairfield job.

Collins is a former Fairfield assistant under new Providence coach Ed Cooley.“It’s definitely my goal to become a head coach,” Collins to SNY.tv Friday. “The chips will fall where they may. If it’s this year that I get a job, great. If not, we’ll be back here next year and we’ll have a really good team next year at Marquette. And at some point in time, I believe I’ll be a head coach.”

http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/03/25/source-williams-would-consider-texas-if-barnes-leaves/

 

[StoopsBros]

I agree. I don't see Buzz leaving MU.

 

[SoonerLawyer05]

Barnes to nc state? No way. Texas is far superior.

 

[Sam]

Good to see the worse case scenario laid out for us. Can only get better from here!

 

[AdaSooner]

Good article. It actually quotes Marquette players and assistants, instead of relying mostly on personal opinions and conjecture.

With all but two players coming back next year, leaving Marquette may not be something Buzz can do easily. Guess we'll know in a week or two.

 

[trueou]

Two thoughts from reading this:
1. The writer implies that Buzz would want to decide before his buyout goes down. A higher buyout means nothing to Buzz.
2. The Buzz friend is somewhat presumptuous in assuming that Buzz would be at the top of Texas' list to replace Barnes. I like the confidence though.

 

[Jason]

I'll sum up the blog for those who don't care to read it:

I don't know.

 

[Sid]

The folksy Williams grew up in Van Alstyne, Texas and graduated from Oklahoma City University

He would be a perfect fit in Austin.

 

[I love lamp]

He's not coming. Sorry for all of you who want him and think he's coming.

 

[bgrch1350]

If Barnes left Texas for N.C. State...I doubt that Buzz would even be in Texas' top 5 candidates. Pitino, Donovan, Miller, Stevens, Beilein, Dixon, Wright, Pearl, Sampson, Turgeon, Anderson, etc...would all be considered over him. Your talking about the #1 school when it comes to prospect location and a top 5 program overall.

I'm sorry, but Texas would be settling on a coach if they took Buzz.

 

[seniorsooner]

Texas would probably get Phil Jackson if Barnes left.

 

[sanguinetti]

if Rick Barnes leaves UT and Texas money for being #3 at best in the state of NC, i'll dance a jig and get Bill Self's toup tattooed on my ass.

NCSU job is vastly overrated. Sendek took a lateral move to ASU, and Sidney Lowe was the hire they made when no one else of substance was interest....like most "the guy was a great player for us when we were good but no experience as a coach" moves.

that hasn't been a top job for 10 years and nothing has changed to make it so.

 

[ouneday]

Hmm...
Buzz Williams addresses his Marquette future as Golden Eagles' season closes down... bit.ly/ik1AFt #Sooners

 

[Dr Sleep]

Two thoughts from reading this:
1. The writer implies that Buzz would want to decide before his buyout goes down. A higher buyout means nothing to Buzz.

I thought the same thing. Writer either had a big typo or doesn't understand a buyout.

In fact, Buzz would be better served monetarily to wait until the buyout goes down, therefore more of OU's money could go directly to him or stay at OU than go towards his old job. In the two weeks meantime he could convince his recruiting class and asst. coaches to follow him if he so desired.

 

[seniorsooner]

if Rick Barnes leaves UT and Texas money for being #3 at best in the state of NC, i'll dance a jig and get Bill Self's toup tattooed on my ass.

NCSU job is vastly overrated. Sendek took a lateral move to ASU, and Sidney Lowe was the hire they made when no one else of substance was interest....like most "the guy was a great player for us when we were good but no experience as a coach" moves.

that hasn't been a top job for 10 years and nothing has changed to make it so.

100% agree. Their last final 4 was when they won it in 83. They've only been to the sweet 16 once in the last 21 years. Plus, you really want to go recruit/compete against Duke and UNC? That's basically just a spot where you go to get paid for a few years and then get run off.

 

[brettromar]

Buzz would be at Arkansas right now if he would have acceoted before his season was over. They ttold him to tell them a number and he said they had to wait.

OU was a good possibility for Buzz before the tourney. Now it sounds like he will stay. However if numbers get high enough he would go.

 

[greenbug]

I'm sorry, but Texas would be settling on a coach if they took Buzz.

...and so would OU.