Marquette Golden Eagles embracing new coach, Steve Wojciechowski

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Marquette University has a new basketball coach, and while he hasn't won a game yet, the early reviews are positive.

Steve Wojciechowski got a warm welcome at Marquette University's men's basketball banquet at the Harley-Davidson Museum.

"He's just a great coach -- a great overall coach," Golden Eagles forward Deonte Burton said.

"My number one priority is spending time with (the players) -- developing a relationship with them, getting to know them better as people and players, and for them to get to know me as a person and as a coach. I've been very pleased with the response. I think, not only have I been accepted by them, I think I've been embraced by them, and that's been very encouraging for me," Wojciechowski said.

"Coach Wojo's a perfect fit for us. You know, as a player himself, he knows, you know, what we've gone through with the coaching change and what we have to do to get better. He knows exactly what needs to be done with us. He learned his stuff from one of, arguably, the best coaches ever, and hopefully he can pass it down to us," Golden Eagles center Luke Fischer said.

"For all the guys, it is a fresh start for them. Like I said, I think the players have been very excited by it, and the relationship that I have been able to build with them over just a short two weeks has been strong, and I think we'll produce a really good foundation for the future," Wojciechowski said.

"He's just taking his time, and when he speaks, it means a lot. It is similar to someone that we have all watched over time -- one of the greatest ones he's ever coached under, and it's definitely a good experience to have a new coach and I'm excited," Golden Eagles guard Todd Mayo said.

"It all starts with the relationship and a culture of truth and trust and trying to build those two things -- and learning the new standards of the things we're going to do and my values. First and foremost, as people -- handling yourself the right way off the court, in the classroom and then on the court, and we have done a lot of discussion about those things, and I think the guys are excited about that," Wojciechowski said.

Steve Wojciechowski may not have been Marquette University's first choice for men's basketball head coach -- but he says "I wasn't my wife's first choice either -- and that worked out okay!"