Connection between Buzz Williams, Texas A&M players goes far beyond basketball

The intrigue of Buzz Williams goes far beyond his abilities as a basketball coach, and that is part of what draw in Texas A&M players. Off the basketball court, away from the X’s and O’s, he has put in countless hours to understand who each person in his program is, and who they want to become.

For Williams, the relationship comes ahead of anything in basketball. This attention to detail has brought together a Texas A&M family, led by a loving “father figure.”

“Everything,” Williams said on what that relationship means. “This is the wrong thing to say on this platform, basketball has very little if anything to do with it. It’s just kind of what brought us together. Time will multiply whatever you feed it and that’s specific to ball but I think that’s specific to life. And I for sure think that’s what applies to relationships.”

Williams credits the new era of college basketball – which has been maligned for the negatives – for allowing him to focus more on the relationships than play-calls or technique.

“I don’t know who was up here or what they said, but those are my guys and I love them,” said Williams. “And it’s not dependent upon if they make a shot or if we win tomorrow.”

Williams’ family sat to the side of the press conference, smiling as they heard the kind words which had been shared between players and coach.

Texas A&M players rave about Buzz Williams

Across the board, Williams’ players rave about the chance to be coached by the father of four.

“He has his own kids,” guard Wade Taylor IV began. “He always tells us he spends more time with us than his own kids. I really appreciate that because I’m not with my father all the time. I look at the coaching staff and Coach Buzz, father figure all the time. And like everybody else said, I’m just glad he’s my coach.”

Perhaps no player has spent as much time with Williams as guard Tyrece Radford, who transferred from Virginia Tech to Texas A&M. He says he learned a lot about who he wants to be from their time together.

“Coach Buzz Williams is the most consistent person I’ve ever met with everything he do,” said Radford. “Just being a dad, a coach. And that plays a big role in my life. Makes me want to be consistent with I do on the court and off the court.

“He’s a very passionate person about everything he does. And that plays a part in why we’re so close, and just why he bonds so much with the team and why we click.”

Radford could not quite put his finger on what makes Williams so different. Meanwhile, recently-elevated starter Manny Obaseki believes it is a unique style of leadership on display.

“An amazing leader,” said Obaseki. “He’s not like any other leader, though. He’s someone that really walks in faith. Studies like every day, you know what I’m saying? And that stuff comes to life. The words that he uses, how much energy and passion he puts into his words when he really speaks to us, not just us, anybody, it really touches you and it really motivates you to be a better person on and off the floor. And I love Buzz. I’m glad he’s my coach.”