Maryland named Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams to the same post on Tuesday, two days after former Terrapins head coach Kevin Willard was named to the same position at Villanova.
“We are thrilled to bring a coach of the caliber of Buzz Williams to the University of Maryland,” Terrapins athletic director Colleen Sorem said. “His incredible record of success at three prominent basketball programs speaks for itself, but we were equally impressed with his tireless work ethic and his dedication to building a program the right way. He embraces the high expectations here at Maryland and we are all excited to get started on this new era in Maryland basketball.”
Williams, 52, has guided the Aggies to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances during his six seasons at the helm. Texas A&M finished with a 23-11 record this season after dropping a 91-79 decision to Michigan in the second round on March 22.
Williams was named the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year in 2022-23. He owned a 120-73 record with the Aggies.
“We would like to thank Buzz for his years of service heading up our men’s basketball program,” said Trev Alberts, Texas A&M’s athletic director. “We are excited about the future of Aggie basketball and we will find the right leader for our program.”
Williams owned a 373-228 coaching record that included stops with New Orleans (2006-07), Marquette (2008-14) and Virginia Tech (2014-19).
“I want to thank President (Darryll J.) Pines and Colleen Sorem for this opportunity to lead one of the most prestigious programs in the country,” Williams said. “In leading this program, I promise to uphold the history of Maryland basketball and make Terp Nation proud with the men who represent this institution.”
Willard, 49, guided Maryland to a 27-9 record this season before falling to top-seeded Florida in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. He posted a 65-39 mark with two tournament appearances during his three seasons with the Terrapins.
Willard’s time in Maryland appeared to be running short when he openly griped about the program prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament.
“I need to make fundamental changes to the program,” Willard said at the time. “That’s what I’m focused on right now. That’s why probably a deal hasn’t got done (to stay with the program) because I want to see, I need to see fundamental changes done. I want this program to be great. I want it to be the best in the country. I want to win a national championship, but there’s things that need to change.”
In a statement released Sunday morning, Maryland officials said attempts were made to keep Willard with the university.
“We took a very proactive and aggressive approach to retain Coach Willard, offering a significant contract extension and salary increase, new staff, and one of the highest revenue-share budgets in the (Big Ten) Conference,” the statement read.
“We had long and thoughtful conversations about the program and shared the same vision for Maryland Basketball. In the end, he made the choice that he felt was best for him and his family. On behalf of all of Terrapin Nation, we thank Coach Willard and his family for their service and wish them well.”
–Field Level Media
