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Texas A&M men's basketball is searching for a new coach after Buzz Williams departed to become the new Maryland head coach.
The Aggies were bounced from the NCAA Tournament in the second round by No. 5-seed Michigan despite some early success and big wins in the 2024-25 season. Over six years in College Station, Williams recorded 120 wins and 73 losses with three tournament appearances, though he never made it past the round of 32.
Texas A&M is familiar with the coaching search, having replaced former football coach Jimbo Fisher and current Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle within the past two years. Here are some names to keep an eye out for as the Aggies look for Williams' replacement.
Chris Beard is familiar with the Lone Star State, though he left under unsavory circumstances. The former Texas coach was fired in Jan. 2023 after the police arrested him for domestic violence in Dec. 2022. He was replaced by then-interim head coach Rodney Terry, who led the Longhorns to an Elite Eight appearance.
Beard's return to the state of Texas would bring controversial discourse to College Station, but it's undeniable that he's brought success to each program he's been at. He brought Texas Tech to the finals of the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and oversaw Ole Miss this season as they defeated No. 3-seed Iowa State to land in the Sweet 16. It's also worth noting that despite Terry's initial success at Texas, he failed to reach similar heights in the two seasons after Beard's departure.
More: Texas basketball vs Ole Miss: Rebel coach Chris Beard faces UT for first time since firing
The Rebels coach might be the best basketball option, despite the baggage. His buyout would be $4.5 million before April 12 and $3.5 million after, according to the Clarion Ledger.
Luke Murray has never been a DI head coach, but he has plenty of experience working under one of the best — UConn's Dan Hurley.
First hired as Hurley's assistant at Wagner in 2010, Murray left in 2011 for Townsend before reuniting with his mentor at Rhode Island. In 2015, then-Xavier head coach Chris Mack hired Murray to join his staff before Louisville poached him in 2018, where he stayed for three years. Murray joined Hurley's staff as the offensive coordinator prior to the 2022-23 season to develop one of the most offensive complex systems in college basketball. UConn proceeded to win the 2023 and 2024 National Championships, averaging 78.6 and 81.4 points per game, respectively.
His head coaching experience would be questioned, but the schematic advantage Murray brings to the table would be attractive.
“Their (UConn) half-court offense is picturesque,” Current Texas and former Xavier head coach Sean Miller said last year.
Though Alan Huss is two years into being a DI head coach, he's already led High Point to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and two first-place finishes in the Big South.
The Panthers have recorded a 56-15 record since Huss's hiring, a testament to his ability to develop talent. He's done so since his days at La Lumeire, a private college prep school that saw NBA talents like Jaden Ivey, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jordan Poole and Isaiah Stewart come through. Before joining High Point, Huss was an assistant at his alma mater, Creighton, from 2017 to 2023.
The Bulldogs haven't been incredibly successful during Chris Jans' tenure, but Mississippi State has made NCAA tournament appearances three years in a row, winning 21 games each season.
Hiring Jans would come with some baggage, however. During his first head coaching tenure at Bowling Green, Jans was fired after a school alumnus recorded him engaging in lewd and inappropriate behavior at a bar near campus. Wichita State hired him as a special assistant before Jans took the head coaching job at New Mexico State, leading them to three tournament appearances. Despite his success, Jans has never made it past the round of 32.
Bucky McMillan coached at Mountain Brook High School in Alabama for 12 years before joining the college ranks. He finished his preps career with a stunning 333-74 record and has had some success at Samford, though they did not play in March Madness this year after finishing third in the Southern Conference.
After COVID-19 shortened his first season, McMillan finished the last four seasons with 20 wins, two conference titles and a single tournament appearance. Known for an up-tempo style of basketball, the Bulldogs once hung 174 points against Division III Greenville in an exhibition game. That style of play nearly led Samford to an upset over No. 4-seeded Kansas in the 2024 tournament. The Bulldogs lost 94-89 after a controversial foul allowed Bill Self's team to escape unscratched.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M basketball coaching candidates who can replace Buzz Williams
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The Aggies were bounced from the NCAA Tournament in the second round by No. 5-seed Michigan despite some early success and big wins in the 2024-25 season. Over six years in College Station, Williams recorded 120 wins and 73 losses with three tournament appearances, though he never made it past the round of 32.
Texas A&M is familiar with the coaching search, having replaced former football coach Jimbo Fisher and current Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle within the past two years. Here are some names to keep an eye out for as the Aggies look for Williams' replacement.
Chris Beard, Ole Miss head coach
Chris Beard is familiar with the Lone Star State, though he left under unsavory circumstances. The former Texas coach was fired in Jan. 2023 after the police arrested him for domestic violence in Dec. 2022. He was replaced by then-interim head coach Rodney Terry, who led the Longhorns to an Elite Eight appearance.
Beard's return to the state of Texas would bring controversial discourse to College Station, but it's undeniable that he's brought success to each program he's been at. He brought Texas Tech to the finals of the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and oversaw Ole Miss this season as they defeated No. 3-seed Iowa State to land in the Sweet 16. It's also worth noting that despite Terry's initial success at Texas, he failed to reach similar heights in the two seasons after Beard's departure.
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More: Texas basketball vs Ole Miss: Rebel coach Chris Beard faces UT for first time since firing
The Rebels coach might be the best basketball option, despite the baggage. His buyout would be $4.5 million before April 12 and $3.5 million after, according to the Clarion Ledger.
Luke Murray, UConn
Luke Murray has never been a DI head coach, but he has plenty of experience working under one of the best — UConn's Dan Hurley.
First hired as Hurley's assistant at Wagner in 2010, Murray left in 2011 for Townsend before reuniting with his mentor at Rhode Island. In 2015, then-Xavier head coach Chris Mack hired Murray to join his staff before Louisville poached him in 2018, where he stayed for three years. Murray joined Hurley's staff as the offensive coordinator prior to the 2022-23 season to develop one of the most offensive complex systems in college basketball. UConn proceeded to win the 2023 and 2024 National Championships, averaging 78.6 and 81.4 points per game, respectively.
His head coaching experience would be questioned, but the schematic advantage Murray brings to the table would be attractive.
“Their (UConn) half-court offense is picturesque,” Current Texas and former Xavier head coach Sean Miller said last year.
Alan Huss, High Point
Though Alan Huss is two years into being a DI head coach, he's already led High Point to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and two first-place finishes in the Big South.
The Panthers have recorded a 56-15 record since Huss's hiring, a testament to his ability to develop talent. He's done so since his days at La Lumeire, a private college prep school that saw NBA talents like Jaden Ivey, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jordan Poole and Isaiah Stewart come through. Before joining High Point, Huss was an assistant at his alma mater, Creighton, from 2017 to 2023.
Chris Jans, Mississippi State
The Bulldogs haven't been incredibly successful during Chris Jans' tenure, but Mississippi State has made NCAA tournament appearances three years in a row, winning 21 games each season.
Hiring Jans would come with some baggage, however. During his first head coaching tenure at Bowling Green, Jans was fired after a school alumnus recorded him engaging in lewd and inappropriate behavior at a bar near campus. Wichita State hired him as a special assistant before Jans took the head coaching job at New Mexico State, leading them to three tournament appearances. Despite his success, Jans has never made it past the round of 32.
Bucky McMillan, Samford
Bucky McMillan coached at Mountain Brook High School in Alabama for 12 years before joining the college ranks. He finished his preps career with a stunning 333-74 record and has had some success at Samford, though they did not play in March Madness this year after finishing third in the Southern Conference.
After COVID-19 shortened his first season, McMillan finished the last four seasons with 20 wins, two conference titles and a single tournament appearance. Known for an up-tempo style of basketball, the Bulldogs once hung 174 points against Division III Greenville in an exhibition game. That style of play nearly led Samford to an upset over No. 4-seeded Kansas in the 2024 tournament. The Bulldogs lost 94-89 after a controversial foul allowed Bill Self's team to escape unscratched.
Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M basketball coaching candidates who can replace Buzz Williams
Continue reading...
