Larry Williams

It came out of nowhere to me when I read it today. But when you do what he's done you can't help but be noticed by the big schools.

He's done a fine job here and I wish him the best. He's started some good things and hopefully his successor can build on them.

I do not think anyone would begrudge Larry success in his career--his positive addition to the athletic success on the Bluff is noteworthy. Job well done. Though Larry may be singularly ambitious, as described, he is hardly different than our basketball coach in that regard, who when hired, was referred to as a twin/mirror image of Larry and who may predictably head elsewhere in time as well, perhaps to Marquette. I am grateful to them both for their work in uplifting the program and in Larry's case the entire athletic department.

There has been some really well thought-out input to PN regarding Larry Williams’ departure including good wishes and the various reasons for his leaving. There has also been some apparent surprise regarding this move, but mark my word, this isn’t the first time another school has shown an interest in hiring Larry. He’s a quality guy running a quality program, but now with his family situation as it is and the opportunity to double his athletic and personal budget; it was time to make a move.

Many of us have said over the years that we want coaches and ADs on their way up who will give our programs a sustained kick start before moving on to more money and a bigger, more influential program. UP just doesn’t have the $izable, $upportive alumni or corporate backing that other schools have, including many state schools.

The UP Athletic Department is running at the highest level I’ve seen in my 49 years of association with the university. I believe the reason for that is singular; without a search committee, Father Beauchamp hired Larry Williams. Today, when asked who he would hire to replace Larry, Fr. Bill said “I’m looking for the next Larry.” I say GOOD!

(Larry’s walking into a good basketball situation; Marquette is 8-0 and ranked #8 in the nation according to kenpom.com).

DoubleDipper wrote:(Larry’s walking into a good basketball situation; Marquette is 8-0 and ranked #8 in the nation according to kenpom.com).

Plus Marquette just beat UW and if there's one thing I love, it's seeing the Huskies lose!

I dont think there are significant family issues involved, nor should we read too much into the comment about Milwaukee being a place his family can live.

From what I've heard, LW's decision to move his son to Ohio was about football. Larry believed his son could be a BCS type QB and figured he wasn't going to get enough opportunity to shine at Jesuit. LW's son moved in with family in Ohio to play for a school that is a traditional power and has produced several college QBs... but after moving about a year ago, the Ohio high school sports administration determined that in order for a player to be eligible, he/she has to have at least one parent/legal guardian living in the state... So, in order to have his son be eligible for football, Larry's wife "moved" to Cleveland... Milwaukee is closer to Cleveland than Portland, and there are certainly worse places to live.

I have a lot of faith in Fr. Beauchamp's ability to find a suitable replacement... he was was actively involved in the hiring of the current WCC Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich, and that has worked out pretty well...

Maybe he can get us a home-and-home. Or even run across the street to Bruce Pearl's old stomping ground and convince them to do a home-and-home. Heck I'd take one in Portland, and infinitely more games in Milwaukee. I could guarantee between 1 and 4 Pilot fans in attendance.

My first thought about his move was that it wasn't much of a step up, being a non-football school. But if his goal is to run an athletic department with a big time football program, they will probably want to see him run one with a bigger budget than UP's.

From afar it seems as though he did a great job at UP. Don't really expect much different for him at Marquette. Hope we can get an accomplished and goal oriented replacement. I would like to put in an official nomination for Stonehouse!

Not sure if there is any new information for anyone here. But I'm posting it anyways.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/marquette-names-larry-williams-athletic-director-9p3b0c6-135074438.html

Recently heard that one of Larry’s biggest difficulties at Marquette is keeping the players eligible. After last night’s game, he might have to worry about his coach’s safety in Virginia. You can get a quick glimpse of Larry and Buzz (Williams) slapping hands in the video. http://hamptonroads.com.nyud.net/2012/02/west-virginia-students-irate-over-marquette-coachs-victory-dance-their-court

From the Virginian Pilot:

Good thing for Buzz Williams and Marquette that West Virginia is leaving the Big East for the Big 12 next season. He probably wouldn't want to bring a team to Morgantown, W.Va., again.
He decided to bust a move. They wanted to bust his face.

Williams incensed the student section Friday night by dancing on the court after No. 10 Marquette rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to beat West Virginia 61-60.

To make matters worse, the song he danced to, John Denver's ''Country Roads,'' is the Mountaineers' unofficial anthem.

When he sat down at the scorer's table for an interview, Williams acknowledged the obvious. "They got mad at me," Williams said. "I think they're still mad at you," ESPN's Bob Wischusen replied.

''I apologize,'' Williams said later, according to The Associated Press. ''It was very unprofessional. That's a bad representation of our program.

''I was just really excited. That was all. How I grew up, in the country, that was one of my favorite songs growing up.''

We can understand that it's possible to get caught up in the moment, but seriously, dancing on an opponent's home floor? A coach really needs to have a little more self-control. Save the celebration for the locker room.

I think we can all relate to that!

DoubleDipper wrote:Recently heard that one of Larry’s biggest difficulties at Marquette is keeping the players eligible. After last night’s game, he might have to worry about his coach’s safety in Virginia. You can get a quick glimpse of Larry and Buzz (Williams) slapping hands in the video. http://hamptonroads.com.nyud.net/2012/02/west-virginia-students-irate-over-marquette-coachs-victory-dance-their-court

From the Virginian Pilot:

Good thing for Buzz Williams and Marquette that West Virginia is leaving the Big East for the Big 12 next season. He probably wouldn't want to bring a team to Morgantown, W.Va., again.
He decided to bust a move. They wanted to bust his face.

Williams incensed the student section Friday night by dancing on the court after No. 10 Marquette rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to beat West Virginia 61-60.

To make matters worse, the song he danced to, John Denver's ''Country Roads,'' is the Mountaineers' unofficial anthem.

When he sat down at the scorer's table for an interview, Williams acknowledged the obvious. "They got mad at me," Williams said. "I think they're still mad at you," ESPN's Bob Wischusen replied.

''I apologize,'' Williams said later, according to The Associated Press. ''It was very unprofessional. That's a bad representation of our program.

''I was just really excited. That was all. How I grew up, in the country, that was one of my favorite songs growing up.''

We can understand that it's possible to get caught up in the moment, but seriously, dancing on an opponent's home floor? A coach really needs to have a little more self-control. Save the celebration for the locker room.

I think we can all relate to that!

I'm waiting for a Marquette fan to come on here and tell us what a great guy Buzz is, he visits sick kids, gives to charity, blah blah blah...