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?