Buzz Williams, the 52-year-old head coach renowned for revitalizing basketball programs, has agreed to a six-year contract to lead the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball team. This move marks the end of his successful six-year tenure at Texas A&M University, where he significantly elevated the Aggies’ basketball profile.
Williams’ coaching career is distinguished by his ability to transform teams into formidable competitors. Prior to his time at Texas A&M, he served as the head coach at Virginia Tech from 2014 to 2019 and at Marquette University from 2008 to 2014. At Virginia Tech, Williams led the Hokies to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run in 2019. During his tenure at Marquette, he guided the Golden Eagles to five NCAA Tournament berths, reaching the Sweet 16 three times and the Elite Eight in 2013.
In 2019, Williams took the helm at Texas A&M, where he continued his pattern of success. Under his leadership, the Aggies achieved three consecutive 20-win seasons from 2022 to 2024, a feat the program hadn’t accomplished in over a decade. The team also secured back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024, marking the first consecutive “Big Dance” berths since 2011. Notably, Williams led the Aggies to the SEC Tournament championship game in consecutive seasons (2022 and 2023) and achieved a school-record 15 SEC regular-season wins in 2023.
Williams’ departure from Texas A&M comes on the heels of a standout season where the Aggies posted a 23-11 record and earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament—their highest seeding since 2016. Despite a promising start, the team was eliminated in the second round by Michigan.
At Maryland, Williams succeeds Kevin Willard, who recently departed to take the head coaching position at Villanova. The Terrapins are coming off a season where they reached the Sweet 16, and the university is eager to build upon that success. Williams’ proven track record of developing competitive teams and his extensive experience in collegiate basketball make him a compelling choice to lead Maryland into a new era.
Williams’ coaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, hard work, and a commitment to excellence—values that have resonated with his players and translated into on-court success. His ability to recruit and develop talent has been evident throughout his career, with numerous players earning all-conference honors and several advancing to professional basketball careers.
The move to Maryland represents both a new challenge and an opportunity for Williams to apply his coaching acumen in the Big Ten Conference. The Terrapins’ fan base and athletic department have expressed enthusiasm about his arrival, anticipating that his leadership will elevate the program’s competitiveness nationally.
As Williams transitions to his new role, Texas A&M will commence a search for his successor, aiming to build upon the solid foundation he established. Meanwhile, Maryland looks forward to a future under Williams’ guidance, hopeful that his history of success will continue in College Park.
