Expect outside interest in Williams to grow with every Aggie victory

It’s that time of year. Soon, they’ll attempt to take what’s yours.

Not the IRS. The IU Hoosiers.

If Indianapolis Star columnist Greg Doyel has his way, the University of Indiana will fill its vacant head basketball coaching position by hiring Texas A&M’s Buzz Williams.

In a column published on Monday, Doyel praised Williams as a man of integrity, experience and success. He suggested Williams was the perfect choice to replace Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson, who will step down at the end of the season.

A&M has reached the NCAA Tournament in the last two years. The Aggies are a lock for March Madness this year. They’re currently ranked No. 8 in the AP poll. They’re tied for third in the powerful Southeastern Conference championship race.

Williams’ career record is 367-222. He previously coached Marquette to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. He led Virginia Tech to the Sweet 16.

A&M, projected as high as a No. 2 seed in the current Bracket Matrix, is a strong contender to reach the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. The Aggies have the potential to go even further.

So, of course, a proud program like Indiana would be interested in Williams. Expect more programs that may soon be seeking a new coach (Texas, LSU, perhaps North Carolina) to show interest, too.

He won’t come cheap. Williams’ contract, which runs through the 2028 season, reportedly pays him about $4.4 million per year.

Zoe Kelton, TexAgs

Buzz Williams was hired by A&M in April of 2019. He signed an extention through the 2027-28 season on June, 16 2023.

Indiana and many other programs would be willing to pay whatever it takes to get Williams.

The bigger question might be whether A&M will do whatever it takes to keep him.

Director of Athletics Trev Alberts, always cognizant of the rising costs facing athletic programs, may be hesitant to renegotiate a contract.

On the other hand, he may be extremely willing, especially if Texas fires coach Rodney Terry and pursues Williams.

Alberts realistically couldn’t have done anything to retain former baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle, who left A&M last summer for Texas. Schlossnagle’s bond with Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte appeared too much to overcome.

But Alberts surely wouldn’t want A&M to lose two highly successful coaches, especially if both left for Texas.

Fortunately, Williams probably isn’t the least bit interested in another job. Not yet, anyway.

His team is surging. ESPN “bracketologist” Joe Lunardi most recently projected the Aggies (19-5, 8-3) as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Seven games remain in the SEC regular season. The SEC Tournament follows. Then comes March Madness. A&M has never reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. That seems attainable this year.

With each A&M victory, Williams will become more attractive to teams in the market for a coach.

Don’t be surprised if more columns like Doyel’s surface, encouraging programs to pursue Williams. And expect more speculation about Williams’ future.