Sporting News

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Marquette coach Buzz Williams is headed east to coach Virginia Tech, sources told Yahoo Sports! Dan Wetzel and Pat Forde.

The move is rather surprising, given that Williams has proven himself as a coach with the Golden Eagles, having led his team to three straight Sweet 16 appearances before struggling this season when Vander Blue made the surprising move to enter the NBA Draft following the 2012-13 campaign.

However, a source close to Williams told Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy that his situation at Marquette had grown less attractive in the past year, which made him interested when Virginia Tech's new AD, Whit Babcock, pursued him.

Moving to the ACC will give Williams a higher profile than he enjoyed in the newly configured Big East. But Williams has considerable work to do to get his team to become a contender. The Hokies have been to the NCAA Tournament only once since 1996, and that berth came seven years ago. James Johnson was not the answer for the Hokies, as he compiled a 22-41 mark in two seasons with the school. He was fired earlier this week.

ESPN reports that Williams' deal is for seven years.

In trying to reach Williams on his cell phone, DeCourcy noted that Williams left a message saying that he no longer has this cell phone number and that he can be reached at a number with a 540 area code. The number he left is for the main Virginia Tech basketball office.
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