The worst-kept industry secret the past 12 months finally became official Wednesday: Buzz Williams was off to Texas A&M to replace Billy Kennedy.
It didn't come as a shock to Virginia Tech fans or athletic director Whit Babcock, and Williams did a terrific job in Blacksburg, Virginia. He led the Hokies to three NCAA tournaments and a Sweet 16 appearance this season, earning a 4-seed in the NCAA tournament.
But Williams, a Texas native who was an assistant at A&M from 2004 to 2006, decided to head back to his home state and join the Aggies.
So what's next?
Job description
Williams led Virginia Tech to one of its two Sweet 16 appearances and three of its 11 NCAA tournament appearances. In other words, it's not a place with a long history of consistent success. The last Sweet 16 before this season was in 1967, the only time the program has ever reached the Elite Eight. Prior to the past three seasons, the Hokies had never reached the NCAA tournament in three straight seasons -- and before 2017, they had made the NCAA tournament once since 1996.
It's not an ideal recruiting location, but Williams has landed high-level prospects the past few years, specifically five-star guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker in 2017 and ESPN 100 prospects Wabissa Bede, Landers Nolley and Anthony Harris in the past three classes, respectively.
But it's in the ACC and it's had recent success -- it's going to be an attractive job.
Babcock will look to continue the momentum that Williams built in Blacksburg, so who might he tap to fill those shoes?
Who could be in the mix?
Bigger names
Steve Wojciechowski, Marquette: If you look at social media, there's a segment of Hokies fans that think Wojo to Blacksburg is a done deal. There's flight trackers and everything. That said, why would he leave Marquette? It's an elite job in terms of resources and he seems happy with the Golden Eagles. It's certainly worth pursuing if you're Virginia Tech, though.
Mick Cronin, Cincinnati: Also involved at UCLA, Cronin hasn't signed an extension with the Bearcats and has been linked to a number of jobs this offseason. There's also a connection to Babcock, who was the athletic director at Cincinnati in 2011-14. He saw firsthand what Cronin can do with a program, and Cronin has led the Bearcats to nine straight NCAA tournament appearances. However, he's only been past the first weekend of the dance once, back in 2012.
Kevin Willard, Seton Hall: There's buzz behind the scenes that Willard has already spoken with Virginia Tech and that he has reciprocated some level of interest. He did one of the best coaching jobs in the country this season, taking a Seton Hall team that lost four seniors and guided the Pirates back to the NCAA tournament. That's four NCAA tournament appearances in a row for Seton Hall -- and Willard could be looking to make a jump.
Shaka Smart, Texas: Smart's name has circulated with a couple of jobs this carousel, mostly because he will enter next season on the hot seat. The Longhorns fell short of the NCAA tournament this season, but find themselves in the NIT championship game. Smart has been able to attract talent to Austin, but he's only been to the NCAA tournament twice in four years, and didn't advance to the second round either time. But he brings some name cachet and could be looking for a fresh start closer to home.
Gregg Marshall, Wichita State: It would likely take a significant amount of money to lure Marshall from Wichita to Blacksburg and Marshall has turned down big opportunities before, but the Shockers are no longer the best program in the conference and they missed the NCAA tournament this season for the first time since 2011. Would the Hokies pony up enough cash?
Frank Martin, South Carolina: This would be a good fit for both sides and Martin could be looking for another jump after several seasons with the Gamecocks. He guided them to the Final Four in 2017, although that's their only NCAA tournament in Martin's seven seasons at the helm. That said, Martin has already been recruited further north and wouldn't have a problem with the Blacksburg locale.
Next calls
Ryan Odom, UMBC: That win over Virginia in 2018 still carries weight, and Odom is well-connected in the mid-Atlantic region. Moreover, this job makes more sense than most for him since he was an assistant with the Hokies from 2003 to 2010.
Mike Rhoades, VCU: About three and a half hours from Blacksburg sits Rhoades, who led VCU to an Atlantic 10 regular-season title and an NCAA tournament appearance this season.
Steve Forbes, East Tennessee State: Forbes has won 100 games in four seasons at East Tennessee State, and has also had success at each of his stops throughout his career. He can recruit a number of levels, and has a relationship with Williams.
Casey Alexander, Lipscomb: Alexander has been earmarked as the next coach at Belmont after the retirement of longtime head coach Rick Byrd, but Virginia Tech could always beat the Bruins to the punch. He has Lipscomb in the NIT title game and went to the NCAA tournament last season.
Mike Young, Wofford: Young guided the Terriers to a top-25 ranking and NCAA tournament appearance this season, where they beat Seton Hall in the first round and took Kentucky to the wire. He's been to five NCAA tournaments the past 10 seasons.
Earl Grant, Charleston: Grant has won 75 games the past three seasons with Charleston and went to the NCAA tournament last season. He's been linked to several jobs during the past couple of springs.
John Brannen, Northern Kentucky: In the past three years, Brannen has won two regular-season titles and been to two NCAA tournaments -- and has experience as a high-major assistant. He could also be in the mix at Cincinnati should Cronin leave for UCLA or Tech.
Matt McMahon, Murray State: McMahon boosted his stock over the past month, helping lead Murray State to the second round of the NCAA tournament and a win over Marquette. He also went to the dance last season.
Wes Miller, UNC Greensboro: The first team left out on Selection Sunday, Miller has won 81 games the past three seasons and went to the NCAA tournament last season.
Recommendation: Mick Cronin. Of the reasonable names, Cronin makes a lot of sense. He's got ties to Babcock and has been consistently successful with the Bearcats. Would he leave Cincinnati for Virginia Tech, though?
Prediction: Kevin Willard. A couple of years ago, this might have been a no-brainer. But Willard has a great relationship with his athletic director and seems more content with the Pirates now. That said, I think he would take Virginia Tech -- and I think he makes for a strong hire.