From Controversy to Clarity: Buzz Williams takes the helm at Maryland, hoping to lead the Terps back to a national championship caliber.
In the wake of one of the most tumultuous coaching exits in recent memory, Maryland has turned the page. Buzz Williams, the veteran head coach known for his passion, preparation, and player development, is officially headed to College Park.
Maryland announced Tuesday that Williams would succeed Kevin Willard, who left the program less than 48 hours after the Terrapins’ Sweet 16 loss to Florida. The hire marks a significant shift for a program still reeling from Willard’s abrupt exit—and the fallout that came with it.
“In leading this program, I promise to uphold the history of Maryland basketball and make Terp Nation proud with the men who represent this institution,” Williams said in a statement released by the school.
College Park is buzzing!
Maryland welcomes Buzz Williams as its new Head Coach.
Full release: https://t.co/rFMcr74GSW pic.twitter.com/6heoIalX6G
— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) April 1, 2025
The Résumé Speaks Volumes
Williams arrives at Maryland with a record of 373–228 across three major programs: Marquette, Virginia Tech, and, most recently, Texas A&M. During his six seasons in College Station, Williams rebuilt the Aggies into an SEC contender, earning three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
At every stop, Williams has brought a hard-nosed approach and a commitment to culture that has resonated with players.
“We are thrilled to bring a coach of the caliber of Buzz Williams to the University of Maryland,” said interim athletic director Colleen Sorem. “His incredible record of success at three prominent basketball programs speaks for itself, but we were equally impressed with his tireless work ethic and his dedication to building a program the right way. He embraces the high expectations here at Maryland.”
A Maryland Roster in Transition
Williams takes over a program that, just weeks ago, looked like it was poised to rejoin college basketball’s elite. Maryland had just reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016, winning 27 games and boasting one of the most balanced starting lineups in the country—five players averaging 12 or more points per game, a rare feat at any level of the sport.
But Willard’s sudden departure set off a chain reaction.
Star guards Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice entered the transfer portal earlier this week. Julian Reese and Selton Miguel are out of eligibility. And Derik Queen, the program’s centerpiece and projected NBA lottery pick, is expected to enter the 2025 NBA Draft.
IMMEDIATE REACTION: Maryland is hiring Buzz Williams. A quality hire by the Terps: pic.twitter.com/WqmFNHpCin
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 1, 2025
In other words: Buzz Williams inherits a program with momentum—but no returning starters.
And yet, there’s an opportunity.
Maryland is set to receive a $2 million buyout from Willard’s contract. Williams’ own buyout from Texas A&M dropped to $1 million just hours before the announcement, clearing the final hurdle.
A Coach’s Legacy—and a Community’s Frustration
The mood in College Park has been tense since Willard’s departure. What began as hope that the head coach might stay—with the school even offering him a deal to become one of the 10 highest-paid coaches in the country—quickly turned into disappointment.
“He played us like a drum,” said prominent booster Barry Gossett, whose name will adorn Maryland’s forthcoming $52 million basketball performance center. His words echo a sentiment felt throughout the Terrapin fanbase.
As rumors swirled about Willard’s interest in the Villanova job, silence followed from the Maryland bench. Even as the Terrapins prepared for their Sweet 16 showdown with No. 1 seed Florida, the elephant in the room grew too large to ignore.
“First, [Coach Willard] wants to win,” said Derik Queen before the Florida game. “Whatever happens after the season, happens.”
That season ended with a 16-point loss. And before the locker room floor had even been swept, Willard was headed back to the Big East.
Williams’ Challenge—and Opportunity
Now, the task falls to Williams to not only replace an entire starting lineup, but to steady a program in need of direction.
This won’t be the first time.
At Virginia Tech, Williams inherited a team that had gone 9–22. Four years later, he had the Hokies in the Sweet 16. At Texas A&M, he turned a struggling squad into an NCAA Tournament regular. Now at Maryland, Williams faces perhaps his most ambitious rebuild yet.
But he also steps into a passionate community hungry for sustained success—and finally, some stability.
With a renovated basketball facility set to open, strong booster backing, and one of the country’s most fertile recruiting grounds in the DMV area, the foundation is there.
Williams knows the stakes. And he’s not one to shy away from expectations.
“This is a program with history, with pride,” he said in the university’s release. “I’m honored to lead it forward.”
In a year that’s already been filled with surprises for Maryland basketball, one thing is now certain: Buzz Williams is the man tasked with restoring belief, building culture, and guiding the Terrapins into their next era.
He won’t have time to ease in. The portal is open. The roster is depleted. The expectations are immense.
But if history is any indication, Buzz Williams is ready to get to work.
