Buzz Williams Addresses Media Silence, Fan Disconnect Amid Tough Season at Maryland
Buzz Williams stepped into the media room at Xfinity Center on Tuesday dressed casually-shorts, a black quarter-zip, and a white Maryland hat. It was his first non-gameday media availability since December 12, and while the timing raised eyebrows, Williams made it clear: he wasn’t dodging anyone.
“Whatever was going on the internet that said I didn’t want to talk to the media, I don’t know,” Williams said. “I have not tried to dodge anything relative to the results.”
And the results haven’t been pretty. Maryland is 9-14 overall, 2-10 in Big Ten play, and trending toward one of the worst seasons in program history.
According to KenPom projections, the Terps may only manage one more conference win the rest of the way. For a program that hasn’t dipped below seven Big Ten wins in a season since joining the conference in 2014, that’s a steep fall.
The lack of media access recently-especially after Maryland’s road win at Minnesota, when Williams didn’t hold a postgame press conference-sparked frustration among reporters. That led to Maryland basketball SID John Sinnett stepping in on social media to clarify that visiting coaches often do media outside the locker room, not necessarily in the press room.
Williams, for his part, didn’t shy away from the criticism Tuesday. In fact, he leaned into it.
“I’ve coached 19 years as a head coach,” he said. “I’m completely aware of how good Maryland is and how disappointing our season has been.”
Fan Frustration Beyond the Court
While the on-court product has drawn plenty of scrutiny, the off-court disconnect is just as loud. Some fans have voiced frustration over what they see as a lack of connection between Williams and the Maryland community. His roster doesn’t include any players or coaches from the state, and he’s been open about not wanting to spend time with boosters-a stark contrast to some of his predecessors.
When asked whether he’s done enough to embrace the Maryland culture and fanbase, Williams didn’t hesitate.
“I would say I’ve done as much or more as I have anywhere,” he said. “I apologize for those that don’t think they know me or whoever these fans are … I’m not hiding anything.”
He acknowledged the perception that he’s distant, but pushed back against the idea that he’s disengaged.
Williams pointed to his relationships with legendary Maryland coaches Gary Williams and Lefty Driesell as part of his foundation entering the job. He also credited current football coach Michael Locksley, a D.C. native, for helping him understand the program’s roots and local culture.
Learning Maryland, One Book at a Time
If you’re wondering how a coach from outside the region is trying to immerse himself in Maryland history, Williams has an answer: books. Lots of them.
He said he reads at least one book a month related to Maryland athletics. In January, it was former football coach Ralph Friedgen’s autobiography My Way. This month, it’s Gary Williams’ Sweet Redemption, which chronicles Maryland’s 2002 national championship run.
“I probably know more history about Maryland than most people that have only been here for seven months,” Williams said. “But I love learning about all that stuff, especially if it’s about coaches.”
He even claims to have a digital copy of every book ever written about Maryland-not just the athletic department, but the university as a whole. There’s just one catch: he doesn’t own a computer. So when he sees a list of titles, he snaps a photo with his phone and goes from there.
Injury Silence and the New Era of College Sports
Another point of contention has been Williams’ handling of injuries-most notably, the status of star center Pharrel Payne, who’s been out for six weeks with no official updates. Williams addressed that too, hinting at a broader philosophy shaped by the changing landscape of college athletics.
“I want to be some level of protection for our team,” he said. “I’m not trying to hide anything … I know there’s an injury report that comes out three hours before the game, and I understand how all of that has come about over the last few years.”
In other words, Williams sees himself as a gatekeeper-someone who shields his players from unnecessary scrutiny in a hyper-public era of NIL, transfer portals, and nonstop speculation.
Where Things Go From Here
For Williams, the road ahead is steep. The Terps are staring down a historically rough season, fan support is wavering, and questions about his fit in College Park aren’t going away anytime soon.
But Williams isn’t backing down. He’s leaning on his experience, his relationships, and his relentless study of Maryland’s past to try and build something in the present. Whether that’s enough to turn the tide-on the court and in the hearts of fans-remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that Williams hears the noise. And now, at least, he’s speaking up.