Kevin Willard, the former Maryland head coach, recently stepped into a new role at Villanova University. In a recent interview, he reflected on past rivalries and the odd feeling of donning Villanova’s colors. It’s a fresh chapter for a man who is used to shaking things up.
From Terrapins to Wildcats: Kevin Willard’s New Start
Willard, now 49, was named Villanova’s men’s basketball head coach on Sunday. He replaces Kyle Neptune, who was let go earlier this month after three seasons without an NCAA Tournament berth. Villanova, a program with NCAA titles in 2016 and 2018, has struggled lately. Willard aims to bring it back to glory.
Before this, Willard led Maryland to a 27-9 record and a Sweet 16 run as a No. 4 seed, only to fall to Florida. Despite the success, he grew frustrated at Maryland. He couldn’t secure the “fundamental changes” he wanted for the Big Ten program. So, he made the leap to Villanova, a powerhouse with deep resources.
In an interview with Adam Zagoria, Willard shared that he’s been chatting with Villanova alums Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson about their old Seton Hall-Villanova clashes. “Strange” was how he described slipping into Villanova gear for the first time, giving a nod to the long rivalry they shared.
Villanova’s president, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, praised Willard’s hire. “Coach Willard quickly stood out among an impressive pool of candidates during a comprehensive national search,” Donohue said. He highlighted Willard’s vision and experience as key to navigating college athletics’ shifting landscape.
Willard didn’t dodge his Maryland exit. He admitted his blunt NCAA Tournament comments, pushing for more investment, ruffled some feathers. “I think some of my comments during the NCAA Tournament probably could have been a little bit less abrasive,” he said Wednesday.
Maryland fans and alumni, including ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, weren’t shy about their displeasure.
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Still, Willard stands by his passion. He actively campaigned for better resources at Maryland, believing it could’ve been a top-tier program. Now, he’s at Villanova, where a hefty payout from the upcoming House settlement promises up to $20.5 million for athletes, mostly football and basketball players. It’s the kind of support he craved.
Maryland moved on fast, hiring Buzz Williams from Texas A&M. Willard shrugged off the lingering bitterness. He insists it’s time for everyone to turn the page. At Villanova, he’s got the tools and the colors to build something big.
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