By ADAM ZAGORIA
Texas A&M is looking to “break the bank” to hire Virginia Tech Buzz Williams after firing Billy Kennedy on Friday, a source told ZAGSBLOG.
“I think they break the bank for him,” the source said. “They wouldn’t have fired Kennedy if not.”
Williams, 46, is a Greenville, Texas native and former A&M assistant under Billy Gillispie from 2004-06.
“I’ve been hearing Buzz for three weeks,” the source said.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Kennedy’s contract runs through 2021 and pays him nearly $2.5 million annually.
“I’ve never commented on jobs,” Williams told reporters this week at the ACC Tournament. “I don’t think that’s appropriate by our kids … I can’t control what people say. I’ve got to make sure I’m doing my best with these guys.”
Williams took Marquette to five straight NCAA Tournaments, including an Elite Eight, and is about to bring Virginia Tech to its third straight Big Dance.
Kennedy was 151-116 in eight seasons at the school but went 14-18 this season after coaching Murray State for five seasons.
Texas A&M finished 11th in the Southeastern Conference with a 6-12 record and beat Vanderbilt in the opening round of the conference tournament before being eliminated by Mississippi State on Thursday.
The Aggies reached the NCAA tournament in just two seasons under Kennedy, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2016 and last season. His best regular season came in 2015-16 when the Aggies went 28-9, one of three seasons where he won more than 20 games at Texas A&M.
“Billy’s tenure included some great memories and remarkable achievements,” A&M athletic director Scott Woodward said in a statement. “He represented our program and Texas A&M University with distinction. Without question, Billy Kennedy is a first-class person. On behalf of Aggies everywhere, my thanks to Billy and his family for his service to Texas A&M.” (The AP contributed; Photo: ) Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on Facebook