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, 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.
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 ...
