Buzz Williams is on his way to Texas A&M. There’s no way to sugar coat it. That’s a big loss for the Virginia Tech basketball program. When Buzz Williams was hired, we said it was a good to great hire. We told you that back in 2014.
Williams won’t be overwhelmed competing against the like of Rick Pitino, Jim Boeheim, Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams, as he more than held his own in the competitive Big East. Frankly I didn’t think Virginia Tech could land a coach the caliber of Williams. This is a great hire, and while anything is possible, I can’t see Williams not having at least some level of success in Blacksburg.
All of that turned out to be true. Buzz Williams inherited a program that had only went to 8 NCAA Tournaments in it’s entire history. Three straight losing years, with only 1 NCAA appearance between 1995-1996 and the 2014-2015 seasons is what Buzz Williams had to work with when he arrived.
It took Buzz Williams just 3 full seasons to deliver the Hokies to the NCAA tournament. He then took Virginia Tech to three straight NCAA tournaments, culminating in one of Virginia Tech’s best seasons ever this year. Virginia Tech went 26-9 with a Sweet 16 appearance, while for several weeks having to manage an injury to one of their best players Justin Robinson.
Virginia Tech fans are understandably disappointed that Williams left. He’s a great coach, but Williams left a legacy of what can be done at Virginia Tech.
Blacksburg definitely wasn’t a place with a deep basketball tradition, and Williams proved you can win at Virginia Tech. You can win big at Virginia Tech. Back in 2014 Williams took a chance on Virginia Tech that surprised many of us.
Virginia Tech AD Whit Babcock can now sell Virginia Tech as a basketball destination, and why not given Buzz’s success.
Say what you want about Buzz… he marches to the beat of his own drum.
But he transformed @HokiesMBB.
It’s a much better job now than when Buzz surprisingly took it.
— Anish Shroff (@AnishESPN) April 3, 2019
Several weeks ago my podcast partner @hokiesmash_ASD told us Texas A&M was coming for Williams, and unfortunately that turned out to be true.
He had this to say, which I’m sure echos what nearly all Virginia Tech fans are thinking.
Buzz Williams is great coach – even better person – and I will 100% miss his presence in Blacksburg.
— Matthew (@hokiesmash_ASD) April 3, 2019
