Buzz Williams has returned to his old stomping grounds to lead Texas A&M Basketball. Here is a look at what to expect in his first season in the SEC.
Last season was a rough one for Texas A&M Basketball. The final year of the Billy Kennedy era was ravaged by departures to the NBA and injuries, most notably to guard Admon Gilder, and the 14-18 campaign last season was enough for Texas A&M to want to make a change, just one year removed from an NCAA Tournament appearance.
In looking for a new coach, the school turned to a familiar face, asking Buzz Williams to return to College Station to lead the program. Williams had been an assistant coach with the team from 2004-2006 and he spent the last five seasons as the head man at Virginia Tech, where the Hokies reached the Sweet 16 just last season.
Williams had the luxury of a trip to Costa Rica this summer to get to know his roster and see how they play on the floor. The ten practices and three games were essential for the Aggies, but in typical Williams fashion, he made sure the trip was a learning experience for the team off the floor as they participated in a number of philanthropic endeavors with the locals.
This is a different situation than your typical coaching change because it is not as if the Aggies had been mired in a prolonged struggle to find success, as they are just two years removed from the NCAA Tournament and had made either the NIT or NCAA Tournaments in three of the last five seasons. Nevertheless, a change was made in the hopes that Williams can do for the Aggies, what he did for Virginia Tech.