Maryland Basketball Legends Praise Buzz Williams’ Hiring
The University of Maryland’s swift hiring of Buzz Williams as head coach of the men’s basketball team has garnered significant support, including from several prominent figures in Maryland sports.
Williams was officially introduced at a press conference on Wednesday, where he emphasized his focus on the team and acknowledged the high expectations associated with coaching at Maryland. While the fanbase has generally reacted positively, several Maryland basketball legends have also voiced their backing for the new hire.
Former head coach Gary Williams, a Maryland icon inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, attended the press conference and offered his strong endorsement. “First of all, this place is bigger than any coach that ever coached here,” Williams stated. “I think Buzz is looking at this place as the kind of job where he can spend the rest of his career.” He also highlighted Williams’ success in multiple conferences, noting his ability to win at a high level, which will be essential for success in the Big Ten.
Juan Dixon, another Maryland legend and member of the 2002 National Championship team, also showed his support. “We got it right,” Dixon said. “Coach Williams is going to uplift this program and get it back to where it needs to be.” He joined Gary Williams and other former players to publicly back Buzz Williams and express their confidence in his ability to turn the program around.
Juan Dixon on Buzz Williams: "We got it right"
Plus the weirdness of calling another Terps coach, Coach Williams! pic.twitter.com/gimfx3aBrn
— Heather McDonough (@HeatherMcD4) April 2, 2025
Steve Blake, a key player on that same 2002 Championship team, also expressed his support for Williams’ hiring, despite having previously shown interest in the position himself.
Greivis Vasquez, another prominent Maryland figure, voiced his backing with a simple yet powerful, “Let’s go Terps!!” Vasquez, who ranks second on Maryland’s all-time scoring list, remains a beloved figure in the Maryland basketball community.
Even former Maryland wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion Torrey Smith chimed in, sharing his approval of the hire.
With the fanfare surrounding the hiring now settled, Williams faces the challenging task of rebuilding and replacing the team’s roster. To compete for championships in the 2025-26 season, he will need to act quickly in the transfer portal and assemble a competitive team.
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