This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
Texas A&M basketball’s future is hanging in the balance after Tuesday’s news that Buzz Williams will leave the program after six seasons. For those of us who cover the Aggies professionally, this move had been in the making since A&M exited the NCAA Tournament in the second round.
Going into the 2024-2025 regular season, Williams was well aware he would lose eight players to graduation this spring. Among them was star guard Wade Taylor IV, who broke the program’s all-time scoring record during the final game of the regular season. Combined with forward Henry Coleman III and Andersson Garcia also departing, Williams was facing the second complete rebuild of his tenure, something he wasn’t ready to do again in College Station.
After Kevin Willard announced he was leaving Maryland after three seasons for the vacant Villanova position, Williams’ flirtation with the job became a reality on Monday. His interview with the Terrapins went much better than those of several of the younger candidates, which included UConn assistant Luke Murray.
With Williams off to the Big Ten, Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts will make his second significant hire. He hired baseball coach Michael Earley to replace Jim Schlossnagle, although Earley’s struggles have not provided comfort about Albert’s hiring abilities. However, plenty of candidates are available to replace Buzz Williams.
Here is the latest hot board for an interesting coaching search.
Chris Crutchfield, Omaha
Current Position: Coach
Buyout: N/A
Chris Crutchfield is a name that Aggie fans should probably become familiar with, given his connection to Trev Alberts, who served as Omaha’s athletic director from 2009-2021, a year before Crutchfield was hired. Since then, the 56-year-old coach has slowly built the Mavericks’ program back to its former glory, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament this season.
Crutchfield also served as a longtime assistant under former Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger, helping lead the Sooners to the 2016 Final Four.
T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State
Current Position: Coach
Buyout: $29 million
T.J. Otzelberger should be the No. 1 name on Trev Alberts, and it’s not even close. Otzelberger is a program builder who isn’t strictly defense-minded compared to Williams’ tenure. Since his return to Iowa State as the program’s newest coach, the Cyclones have made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16 runs.
Bryce Drew, Grand Canyon
Current Position: Coach
Buyout: N/A
Bryce Drew is another name that should and will likely become a legitimate target for Alberts over the next few days. The former Valparaiso standout has been with Grand Canyon for the last five seasons. All he has done is lead the program to a 120-40 record and four appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a trip to the second round during the 2023-2024 season.
Drew is a solid recruiter with SEC experience after coaching Vanderbilt from 2016 to 2019.
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska
Current Position: Coach
Buyout: $18.5 million
This one is obvious, given Trev Albert’s direct connection to Nebraska after serving as the school’s AD before taking over at A&M. While he didn’t hire Fred Hoiberg, the former Iowa State standout shooter has been average to above average during his last six seasons with the Cornhuskers, outside of the program’s 2023-2024 season.
Coaching at Nebraska is challenging, given the lack of focus on basketball. Given his 115-56 record at Iowa State before he coached the Chicago Bulls, the old Hoiberg would be a great hire, but this version would be woefully underwhelming.
Alan Huss, High Point
Current Position: Coach
Buyout: N/A
For those who watched the first round of the NCAA Tournament this season, High Point’s 12-point loss to Purdue was just a blip on an otherwise incredible second season under coach Alan Huss, whose 56-15 record led to him being named Big South Coach of the Year in both seasons. Huss is an up-and-coming star with similarities to several current big-time coaches, and if Albert is smart, he’ll at least contact Huss to gauge his interest.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 5 potential replacements for Buzz Williams at Texas A&M
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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