Brent "Buzz" Williams, a highly respected recruiter and veteran of the collegiate coaching ranks, has been named the 16th head coach of the Marquette University men's basketball program.
In 2007-08, Williams served as an assistant coach with the Golden Eagles in his first season at Marquette. MU concluded the year 25-10 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003.
"He is a tenacious guy. He's very, very well-organized. He just goes after it. Everyone likes him. If they don't start out liking him, he forces them to like him."
"And he's not only a good recruiter, he is a very, very good basketball coach. He . . . is a total basketball coach and a guy that gives you the best chance to win over the long haul."
Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie to JSOnline, April 7, 2008
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=736536"He earned his stripes forging relationships with high school coaches and players and he made his name by his recruiting expertise. But those of us who work with him and know him the best know his passion for the game, his understanding of X's and O's, his ability to run practice. He is not just a recruiting coach."
Dale Layer (head coach at Colorado State when Williams was an assistant for three seasons) to JSOnline, April 8, 2008
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=737064Boston Celtics coach and former Marquette star Doc Rivers said late last week that Williams would be a "terrific" replacement for Crean, who led the program for the past nine years.
Associated Press, April 8, 2008
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3335281