Maryland signs Buzz Williams to reported 6-year deal

Maryland has hired Texas A&M's Buzz Williams as its next head coach, Terrapins interim athletic director Colleen Sorem announced Tuesday.

The two sides reportedly finalized a six-year deal, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Williams will replace Kevin Willard after the latter left Maryland to fill Villanova's head coaching vacancy.

His buyout to leave the Aggies dropped to $1 million on Tuesday, adds Thamel.

The Terrapins made their first Sweet 16 in nine years this past season.

"We are thrilled to bring a coach of the caliber of Buzz Williams to the University of Maryland," Sorem said in a statement. "His incredible record of success at three prominent basketball programs speaks for itself, but we were equally impressed with his tireless work ethic and his dedication to building a program the right way.

"He embraces the high expectations here at Maryland and we are all excited to get started on this new era in Maryland basketball."

Williams spent the last six seasons in College Station, leading the school to a 120-73 mark. He was named SEC Coach of the Year on two occasions.

The Aggies made the last three NCAA Tournaments, but advanced no further than the Round of 32 in each trip.

"We would like to thank Buzz for his years of service heading up our men's basketball program," Aggies director of athletics Trev Alberts said in a statement.

Williams' other notable stops were at Marquette and Virginia Tech. The 52-year-old guided the Golden Eagles to the Big East regular-season crown in 2013.