Tue Apr 8 00:11:33 2008

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Marquette names Williams head coach

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Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Marquette has named Brent "Buzz" Williams as its new men's basketball coach, succeeding the recently departed Tom Crean, the school announced Monday.

Williams will be introduced at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

"When I met with Buzz, I was convinced that he brings us a passion for college basketball and our Big East conference, and a commitment to both Marquette and the high-level of play our fans have come to expect from Marquette basketball," Marquette president Robert Wild said.

Crean, who guided the Golden Eagles to a 25-10 record this past season and coached the team during its 2003 run to the Final Four, left the school to take over the head coaching position at Indiana. Williams had just finished his first season as an assistant to Crean before being bumped up to the top position.

"Early on in this process it became clear that Buzz provided the right fit the university was looking for as the men's basketball program at Marquette begins another era in its storied history," Marquette athletic director Steve Cottingham said.

Williams came to Marquette after a season as the head coach at the University of New Orleans. Before that, Williams earned a reputation at a top-notch assistant coach and recruiter in stints at Texas A&M, Colorado State, Northwestern State, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas-Arlington.

"Buzz is a tireless worker, a nationally recognized recruiter and has developed a quality relationship with the players and staff during his tenure at Marquette," Cottingham said. "All of these qualities, as well as many others, make me confident he will be able to continue the program's continued rise at the national level."