JJxvi said:
Kennedy sucked.
Was gonna post that myself.
Cannot believe anybody would think the Kennedy years were something to look back at and suggest that we should look favorably on them compared to Buzz's tenure.
Kennedy:
Record.Overall/Conf Place Conf Tourney Post-Season
Year 1 - 14-18/ 4-14 9th/10 Big12 1 win. None
Year 2 - 18-15/7-11 11th/14 SEC 1 win None
Year 3 - 18-16/8-10. 9th/14 SEC 0 wins None (CBI)
Year 4 - 21-12/11-7 5th/14 SEC. 0 wins NIT (1-1)
Year 5 - 28-9/13-5 Tied 1st/14 SEC 2 wins NCAA (2-1)
Year 6 - 16-15/8-10 9th/14 SEC 0 wins None
Year 7 - 22-13/9-9 8th/14 SEC 0 wins NCAA (2-1)
Year 8 - 14-18/6-12 11th/14 SEC 1 win None
Williams:
Year 1 - 16-14/10-8 7th/14 SEC Canceled (COVID)
Year 2 - 8-10/2-8 13th/14 SEC 0 wins None (COVID)
Year 3 - 27-13/9-9 8th/14 SEC 3 wins NIT (4-1)
Year 4 - 25-10/15-3 2nd/14 SEC 2 wins NCAA (0-1)
Year 5 - 21-15/9-9 7th/14 SEC 2 wins. NCAA (1-1)
So let's compare:
Total wins/losses through 5 seasons (Conference)
Kennedy - 99-70 (43-47)
Williams- 97-62 (45-37) - note NO games Feb '21 COVID
Conference Tournament Wins through 5 seasons
Kennedy - 4 wins - appeared in 1 Championship Game
Williams - 7 wins - appeared in 2 Championship Games
Post-Season Tournaments and Wins through 5 seasons
Kennedy - 1 NIT - 1 win
1 NCAAT - 2 wins (second win in 2OT over #11 Seed after miraculous comeback led to tie in regulation)
Williams - 1 NIT - 4 wins - appeared in Championship
2 NCAAT - 1 win (lost second game in OT to #1 Seed after miraculous comeback led to tie in regulation)
So, through 5 seasons: comparable overall records, Williams better in Conference play and Conference Tournament play and Williams with better post-season record appearing in three real tournaments (2 NCAATs to Kennedy's 1 NCAAT) with a much better NIT showing than Kennedy, though Kennedy was able to win that second NCAA game against the #11 Seed after his miraculous comeback in regulation while Williams was NOT able to win his second game against the #1 Seed after his miraculous comeback in regulation.
So, without considering intangibles such as overall reputation, success at previous stops, and relationship with players, and ONLY considering results over the first 5 years at Texas A&M - WIlliam appears to be in the lead as a better coach with better results through Year 5.
Of course, some might argue that Williams' contract and pay are so much higher that Kennedy reflected "more bang for the buck". But the counter argument is that Williams' contract and pay refect the going rate for someone with his proven track record of success as a coach in prior stops - with expectation being he will eventually match that level of success here.
So, I guess we can wait and see if Williams can beat Kennedy Years 6,7, and 8.
I am a huge Williams fan - but would argue and admit that if he cannot top Kennedy's final three years then we should probably let him go as we let Kennedy go.
Frankly, I believe that Williams will be much better than that.