Villanova University has announced the hiring of Kevin Willard from the University of Maryland as its new basketball coach, following the dismissal of Kyle Neptune. Willard was a favorite for this position during the NCAA Tournament, where his Maryland team performed admirably, securing a No. 4 seed and reaching the Sweet 16 before losing to Florida. His record this season was 27 wins and 9 losses, with a 14-6 mark in the Big Ten Conference.
Rev. Peter M. Donohue, president of Villanova, stated that Willard distinguished himself in a thorough national search for coaches. He emphasized Willard’s vision and experience as essential for leading Villanova Basketball amidst the evolving landscape of college athletics. He noted that Willard’s success on the court, complemented by his understanding of the university’s mission, made him a standout candidate.
In the days leading up to the NCAA Tournament, Willard voiced concerns about the future of Maryland’s basketball program. He had not signed a contract extension due to uncertainty surrounding the athletic director position, which had become vacated when Damon Evans left for a similar role at SMU. Willard expressed his unease, stating that the uncertainty about leadership worried him.
Willard also raised issues regarding the lack of support for the basketball program compared to football, particularly in terms of revenue sharing. He anticipated changes that favored the football program, concerns that would not be a factor at Villanova, where the school does not have a Division I football team.
The move to Villanova comes after a challenging three-year stint for Neptune, who took over from Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright but could not lead the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament. Willard’s prior success at Maryland saw him compiling a 65-39 record, with two NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons.
Willard expressed excitement about joining the Villanova community, highlighting the school’s rich tradition of basketball excellence. The Wildcats are set to participate in the new College Basketball Crown tournament later this week, with Mike Nardi serving as interim coach in the meantime.
