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Ohio State severed ties with Head Coach Thad Matta yesterday, after an underwhelming 2016-17 season where they failed to win 20 games for the first time in his tenure. After 13 seasons as the head of the men’s basketball program, Matta was a surprise release this late into the offseason.
As a result, many analysts have formulated opinions on who could be the next Ohio State coach. Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel listed current Virginia Tech Head Coach Buzz Williams as a possible fit in Columbus.
List for OSU: Xavier's Chris Mack, Arizona's Sean Miller, Texas Shaka Smart, Cincy Mick Cronin, VT's Buzz Williams, Butler's Chris Holtmann
— Pete Thamel (@SIPeteThamel) June 5, 2017
This is the second straight year that Williams has been rumored to leave Blacksburg to lead another program, after many considered Buzz to be a leading candidate for the Oklahoma State job last offseason. It’s not difficult to see why Williams has made a name for himself, bringing the Hokies out of the ACC basement and leading them to the NCAA tournament this past season.
However, I do not believe Williams will leave the Hokies for the Buckeyes’ vacancy. The Hokies just signed one of the best recruiting classes in their history, and are poised to be a Top 25 team throughout the year. Virginia Tech is primed to make back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances for the first time since the 1979-80 season, and seems to be in a better position in the near future than Ohio State’s program. Not to mention, Buzz’s relationship with AD Whit Babcock is excellent as well.
Heading into year four, Buzz Williams is here to build something long term with Virginia Tech.