Buzz Williams is officially leaving Virginia Tech to take the head coach job at Texas A&M. Texas A&M announced the hiring Wednesday.
Williams informed Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock of his and met with his team about him leaving before the Aggies’ announcement. Virginia Tech confirmed the news of him leaving.
Williams spent five seasons leading Virginia Tech, taking over the head coach job from James Johnson in 2014. The Hokies were coming off a last-place finish in the ACC.
In his second season (2015-16), Williams led Virginia Tech to an NIT appearance and its first 20-win season since 2010-11. From there Virginia Tech became a formidable team, making three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.
This season, the Hokies finished with 26 wins, the most in program history, and a four-seed in the NCAA Tournament, it’s highest in program history.
The Hokies advanced to their first Sweet 16 since the tournament field expanded in 1985. And nearly defeated top overall seed Duke before falling 75-73.
Williams and Virginia Tech were on the cusps of becoming a perennial contender in the ACC. However, now the program must search for a suitable replacement that can maintain the program’s momentum in recruiting and competing.
Before taking over at Virginia Tech, Williams spent six seasons as head coach at Marquette, making the NCAA Tournament five times and the Sweet 16 thrice. The Greenville, Texas native also served as an assistant at Texas A&M for two seasons before becoming head coach at New Orleans in 2006.
