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COLLEGE STATION — Since the moment the clock struck zero in a loss March 22 to Michigan in Denver, it has been nothing short of a whirlwind for Texas A&M basketball.
Eight Aggies played their final game March 22 in the maroon and white. Then, Buzz Williams left for Maryland. A day later, forward Pharrel Payne, who was primed to be a centerpiece for the Aggies next season, entered the transfer portal.
To bookend a tumultuous 10 days: the swing and miss in luring current Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard. Beard, the Longhorns' former coach, was considered a top A&M candidate but reportedly agreed to a raise with Mississippi on Wednesday.
Now, A&M goes back to square one on its ever-evolving search for a new coach. The new leader must rebuild a roster that has just two players (both freshmen) on scholarship as of Thursday.
Some may think Williams is making a sidelong move to Maryland, which, like Texas A&M, has made the tournament three times since 2021 and was a four-seed this season. But the decision for Williams and A&M to part ways may go a bit deeper.
So, what went into Williams' departure, and what will the Aggies look for in their next coach? We analyze it all:
More: Maryland basketball hires Buzz Williams: 3 things to know about ex-Texas A&M coach
Williams has coached at Texas A&M since 2019.
A&M Athletic Director Trev Alberts has been on the job for just over a year and will be replacing a second head coach in as many seasons.
One could wonder if Williams and the new AD aligned on future plans for the program. After all, Williams signed a contract extension following the 2023 season.
Then there's the undeniable dynamic that football plays at the school and, for that matter, in the state.
Basketball was never going to be the biggest show in town, even if Williams had some success with three straight tournament appearances and a runner-up finish in an SEC Tournament.
Still, Williams' six-year tenure in College Station was underwhelming.
After a half-decade stint at Virginia Tech ended with a 2019 appearance in the Sweet 16, Williams could not match that success at A&M. In three straight tournament appearances, the Aggies failed to advance past the first weekend.
More: Texas A&M basketball: promising season concludes with key questions for Aggies' future
This past season was supposed to be A&M's best chance to break through. A team built on rebounding and defense had a roster loaded with eight seniors, including the all-time-leading scorer Wade Taylor IV.
The Aggies spent the entire season inside the Associated Press top 25, peaking at No. 7 in national polls, but A&M had glaring holes that limited its ceiling.
The Aggies were worst in the SEC in field goal percentage (41.8) and free-throw percentage (69.2) while being 15th in 3-point field goal percentage (30.7).
The struggles were a recurring theme for a Williams-coached team. The Aggies finished similarly in all three categories in the 2023-2024 season, ending the year at 40.2, 70.7 and 29.3, respectively, all of which were 13th in the then-14-team SEC.
Despite the experience of the roster and stability of the coaching staff, that familiarity never led to postseason glory. With few underclassmen of note on the roster and a middling 2025 recruiting class, ranked 32nd by 247 Sports, there might not have been a big appetite for another rebuilding — from Williams, university leadership or the fans.
Williams' loyalty to players he recruits is admirable, of course, but how productive in today's climate can it be? Final Four teams Florida and Auburn, SEC programs that were preseason favorites for a deep NCAA Tournament run, each have multiple transfers playing significant roles. Florida's top-two leading scorers are seniors who have been with the Gators two seasons or fewer. The three leaders in minutes played for Auburn spent multiple years elsewhere (though Johni Broome has now been with the Tigers three seasons).
Payne and Zhuric Phelps were transfer portal additions but did not move the needle like others who changed schools nationwide.
Williams has also never spent more than six years at any one university, and he reached that mark this year in College Station. Perhaps he was ready for a change of scenery, potentially in a part of the country where football and basketball are similar in importance.
Maryland provides that for him, making the perceived lateral move not so lateral for Williams.
Beard's decision to stay at Ole Miss has thrown off the timeline a bit and Williams timing on his move puts A&M in a tough spot on the recruiting calendar.
What Alberts and program leaders desire in their next coach seems clear. A&M offering enough to force Ole Miss into a reported new six-year deal, valued at $7.5 million a season, for Beard means Aggie brass is serious about finding the right fit.
It may not have worked this time around, but that doesn't mean the aggression and intention are irrelevant.
College athletics are in a state of flux and the Aggies may be best served finding a coach willing to adapt to the modern game.
Roster-churning, bidding for players' services and balancing traditional recruiting with transfer additions are important hurdles to hop.
Williams did not appears a huge fan of these things during his time in Aggieland. He consistently stated he valued relationships as a pillar for his roster-building. He used the transfer portal selectively, as evidenced by his multi-year starters such as Taylor and forwards Andersson Garcia and Henry Coleman III. After transferring in to A&M, Garcia and Coleman stayed in College Station longer than their previous stop.
A&M needs to find the next guy who has a quality mix of both talents. The ability to build relationships while understanding that talent can come and go is key. They must also stay in the fight of a rigorous conference, like Williams was able to do more often than not.
It is far easier said than done, but the NCAA dead period for recruiting is May 21 and the transfer portal is ripe with talent.
With just over a month and a half until coaches cannot have any in-person contact with recruits or their families, Alberts will need to find the right guy to fill nine or more roster spots for the upcoming season.
The clock is ticking and the options are thinning.
Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at ACatalina@gannett.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M basketball: What Aggies need in their next coach
Continue reading...
Eight Aggies played their final game March 22 in the maroon and white. Then, Buzz Williams left for Maryland. A day later, forward Pharrel Payne, who was primed to be a centerpiece for the Aggies next season, entered the transfer portal.
To bookend a tumultuous 10 days: the swing and miss in luring current Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard. Beard, the Longhorns' former coach, was considered a top A&M candidate but reportedly agreed to a raise with Mississippi on Wednesday.
Now, A&M goes back to square one on its ever-evolving search for a new coach. The new leader must rebuild a roster that has just two players (both freshmen) on scholarship as of Thursday.
Some may think Williams is making a sidelong move to Maryland, which, like Texas A&M, has made the tournament three times since 2021 and was a four-seed this season. But the decision for Williams and A&M to part ways may go a bit deeper.
So, what went into Williams' departure, and what will the Aggies look for in their next coach? We analyze it all:
More: Maryland basketball hires Buzz Williams: 3 things to know about ex-Texas A&M coach
Why Buzz Williams left Texas A&M
One change leads to another? Or same old A&M?
Williams has coached at Texas A&M since 2019.
A&M Athletic Director Trev Alberts has been on the job for just over a year and will be replacing a second head coach in as many seasons.
One could wonder if Williams and the new AD aligned on future plans for the program. After all, Williams signed a contract extension following the 2023 season.
Then there's the undeniable dynamic that football plays at the school and, for that matter, in the state.
Basketball was never going to be the biggest show in town, even if Williams had some success with three straight tournament appearances and a runner-up finish in an SEC Tournament.
Still, Williams' six-year tenure in College Station was underwhelming.
After a half-decade stint at Virginia Tech ended with a 2019 appearance in the Sweet 16, Williams could not match that success at A&M. In three straight tournament appearances, the Aggies failed to advance past the first weekend.
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More: Texas A&M basketball: promising season concludes with key questions for Aggies' future
Problems building a true contender at A&M
This past season was supposed to be A&M's best chance to break through. A team built on rebounding and defense had a roster loaded with eight seniors, including the all-time-leading scorer Wade Taylor IV.
The Aggies spent the entire season inside the Associated Press top 25, peaking at No. 7 in national polls, but A&M had glaring holes that limited its ceiling.
The Aggies were worst in the SEC in field goal percentage (41.8) and free-throw percentage (69.2) while being 15th in 3-point field goal percentage (30.7).
The struggles were a recurring theme for a Williams-coached team. The Aggies finished similarly in all three categories in the 2023-2024 season, ending the year at 40.2, 70.7 and 29.3, respectively, all of which were 13th in the then-14-team SEC.
Despite the experience of the roster and stability of the coaching staff, that familiarity never led to postseason glory. With few underclassmen of note on the roster and a middling 2025 recruiting class, ranked 32nd by 247 Sports, there might not have been a big appetite for another rebuilding — from Williams, university leadership or the fans.
Williams' loyalty to players he recruits is admirable, of course, but how productive in today's climate can it be? Final Four teams Florida and Auburn, SEC programs that were preseason favorites for a deep NCAA Tournament run, each have multiple transfers playing significant roles. Florida's top-two leading scorers are seniors who have been with the Gators two seasons or fewer. The three leaders in minutes played for Auburn spent multiple years elsewhere (though Johni Broome has now been with the Tigers three seasons).
Payne and Zhuric Phelps were transfer portal additions but did not move the needle like others who changed schools nationwide.
Williams has also never spent more than six years at any one university, and he reached that mark this year in College Station. Perhaps he was ready for a change of scenery, potentially in a part of the country where football and basketball are similar in importance.
Maryland provides that for him, making the perceived lateral move not so lateral for Williams.
Texas A&M coaching search: What's next?
Beard's decision to stay at Ole Miss has thrown off the timeline a bit and Williams timing on his move puts A&M in a tough spot on the recruiting calendar.
What Alberts and program leaders desire in their next coach seems clear. A&M offering enough to force Ole Miss into a reported new six-year deal, valued at $7.5 million a season, for Beard means Aggie brass is serious about finding the right fit.
It may not have worked this time around, but that doesn't mean the aggression and intention are irrelevant.
College athletics are in a state of flux and the Aggies may be best served finding a coach willing to adapt to the modern game.
Roster-churning, bidding for players' services and balancing traditional recruiting with transfer additions are important hurdles to hop.
Williams did not appears a huge fan of these things during his time in Aggieland. He consistently stated he valued relationships as a pillar for his roster-building. He used the transfer portal selectively, as evidenced by his multi-year starters such as Taylor and forwards Andersson Garcia and Henry Coleman III. After transferring in to A&M, Garcia and Coleman stayed in College Station longer than their previous stop.
A&M needs to find the next guy who has a quality mix of both talents. The ability to build relationships while understanding that talent can come and go is key. They must also stay in the fight of a rigorous conference, like Williams was able to do more often than not.
It is far easier said than done, but the NCAA dead period for recruiting is May 21 and the transfer portal is ripe with talent.
With just over a month and a half until coaches cannot have any in-person contact with recruits or their families, Alberts will need to find the right guy to fill nine or more roster spots for the upcoming season.
The clock is ticking and the options are thinning.
Reach Texas A&M Beat Reporter Tony Catalina via email at ACatalina@gannett.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M basketball: What Aggies need in their next coach
Continue reading...
