By Nolan Rogalski
For The Diamondback
After an unsteady two weeks, Maryland men’s basketball believes it has found its guiding hand — one that has some fans excited about the team’s future.
Buzz Williams was announced as Maryland’s new coach during a press conference at Xfinity Center on April 2. Across an 18-year head coaching career at New Orleans, Marquette, Virginia Tech and Texas A&M, Williams has combined a unique persona with on-court success.
The result of interim athletic director Colleen Sorem and university president Darryll Pines’ chaotic coach search also seems to have restored many students’ faith in the program after a disappointing and tumultuous end to the season.
The choice was praised by Parker Nickels, a Terps fanatic whose unique style and consistent sideline presence led to widespread recognition this season.
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“I have family and friends that went to [Texas] A&M, so I got texts right when it happened saying they were distraught to lose him,” the senior marketing major said. “This is a guy who has won everywhere he’s ever been. He’s earned the respect of every fan base that he’s ever inspired, and I don’t think he’ll be any different at Maryland.”
Thomas Canary, also known as the “Flag Suit Guy,” was among the fans who showed up to welcome Williams.
Canary praised the coach he watched frequently while growing up as a Virginia Tech fan.
“I think he was able to do a lot with the resources he had at Virginia Tech, and I think we should all be excited for what he’ll be able to do here at Maryland,” said Canary, a university alum and fan development and event marketing department marketing assistant.
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Many Maryland fans hope Williams brings a sense of selflessness after former coach Kevin Willard publicly aired grievances about the program before accepting a job at Villanova. The university accepted many of Willard’s demands, according to a Maryland athletics news release announcing his departure, but he still chose to leave.
The persistent noise of the last few weeks has left fans — such as sophomore civil engineering major Daniel Thompson — feeling like Willard turned his back on the team before the season was over. Thompson said he and other fans “couldn’t enjoy the Sweet 16 because [there was an] immediate frenzy about his leaving.”
Despite that situation dimming the glamour of the Terps’ postseason run, Maryland fans are ready to move forward.
“We have his back,” Thompson said. “We’re behind him. I think we’re a very passionate fan base. And I think with the way that Willard left, we will only appreciate Buzz more. We’re with him.”
