Maryland has a new head coach after the Kevin Willard fiasco.
The Terrapins signed Texas A&M’s Buzz Williams to a six-year deal to be their next head coach, according to ESPN.
Williams, 52, has spent the last six seasons with the Aggies, leading the team to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
This season, Texas A&M went 23-11 before falling to Michigan in the Round of 32.
Texas A&M Aggies head coach Buzz Williams motions during the second half against the Yale Bulldogs at Ball Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The hiring marks a new era for Maryland, who had an ugly breakup with Willard, with the former Seton Hall coach bolting for Villanova earlier this week after he spent three years leading the Terrapins.
Before Maryland’s NCAA Tournament run, which ended with a Sweet 16 loss to No. 1 seed Florida, Willard ripped the university’s handling of the basketball program.
“I need to make fundamental changes to the program,” Willard said. “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.”
Willard singled out the school’s NIL revenue share and travel budget as two of his biggest gripes.
Maryland head coach Kevin Willard glances up at the scoreboard during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Florida, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Francisco. AP
“I also have to make a fundamental change where I can do the things that I want to do with my program,” Willard said. “I wanted to spend an extra night in New York this year to celebrate Christmas with my team and I was told that we can’t do that because it’s too expensive. So, I don’t know how we can be a top-tier program and I can’t spend one extra night in New York because it’s too expensive.”
Even before Maryland’s March Madness run came to a close, rumors were swirling about Willard taking the Villanova job.
After their elimination, Willard wouldn’t commit one way or another, seemingly setting the stage for his eventual departure.
“I don’t know what I’m doing. I haven’t talked to my agent and I haven’t talked to my wife,” Willard said. “I have an agent, and I’m sure he’s talking to people, but I don’t know.”
