Nearly three weeks after the initial report surfaced, it’s official: after five seasons at Virginia Tech, Buzz Williams is headed to Texas A&M. During his time in Blacksburg, the Hokies enjoyed some of the finest moments in program history, including a recent run to the 2019 Sweet 16.
Source confirms @JonRothstein’s report: Texas A&M is planning to introduce Buzz Williams as its next coach on Thursday. I’m told the players have been notified and the target is a 4 p.m. CT presser. https://t.co/AICKHACCYC
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 3, 2019
Over the last few days, rumor swirled in both directions regarding Williams, Virginia Tech and Texas A&M; however, what long seemed to be the case has finally come to fruition. Williams will replace Billy Kennedy after eight seasons at Texas A&M.
Amid reports of his imminent departure for Texas A&M, #Hokies coach Buzz Williams meeting w/AD Whit Babcock this morning. Two have had open lines of communication.
— David Teel (@ByDavidTeel) April 3, 2019
The move for Williams is a return of sorts, too. Williams was an assistant coach for two seasons (2004-06) at Texas A&M. After his initial stint in College Station, was the head coach for one season at New Orleans (2006-07). He then became an assistant coach for Tom Crean at Marquette. When Crean left to become the head coach at Indiana, Williams was promoted to head coach in Milwaukee.
Before his arrival at Virginia Tech, Williams ran Marquette for six seasons (139 wins); with the Golden Eagles, he made five NCAA Tournaments. During his time there, he also helped put multiple players in the NBA, like Wes Matthews and Jimmy Butler.
The Last 5 Years
During his five seasons at Tech, the Hokies went 100-69 (59.2 percent win percentage) and 44-46 in the ACC. Starting with the 2015-16 season, though, things really took a turn for the better. Over the last four seasons, Tech went 89-47 and 42-30 in the ACC. That encompasses four straight 20-win seasons and four-straight seasons with 10+ ACC wins.
Similar to his time at Marquette, Williams build a program that had an identity, too. The Hokies spread the floor and blitzed opponents with a roster of 3-point gunners. According to KenPom, Virginia Tech ranked 10th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency this season.
In 2019, the Hokies made just the second Sweet 16 in program history and won 26 games. It was fine coaching job by Williams, who helped rework Tech’s offense on the fly after the midseason injury to Justin Robinson.
With Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech is set up to have its first round NBA Draft pick since Dell Curry in 1986.
Speaking of NAW, it’s interesting to take a look at Tech’s roster. Justin Robinson, Ahmed Hill and Ty Outlaw are seniors and done with college basketball; Alexander-Walker is projected to go in the first round of the draft as a top-20 prospect. Who knows what will happen with redshirt junior center Kerry Blackshear Jr.? Essentially, the roster in Blacksburg is set to turnover.
Read More on Buzz Williams
Virginia Tech plays through the middle with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kerry Blackshear Jr.