Kevin Willard Named New Head Coach at Villanova
By Jeff Borzello | Mar 30, 2025, 01:59 AM ET
In a significant development in college basketball, Kevin Willard has officially accepted the position of head coach at Villanova, as reported by ESPN sources. This decision concludes over a week of rampant speculation surrounding his future.
Successful Tenure at Maryland
Willard’s three-year stint at Maryland saw the Terrapins thrive, culminating in a robust 27-9 record in the recently concluded season. The team earned a 4-seed in the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16, where they faced a tough matchup against the top-seeded Florida. Throughout the season, Maryland exhibited resilience, particularly after a rocky 1-3 start in Big Ten play, managing to secure numerous narrow victories thereafter.
Leadership and Challenges
During his time with the Terrapins, Willard compiled a record of 65-39, leading Maryland to two NCAA tournament appearances. His commitment to improving the program was clear, especially when he highlighted the need for significant changes in light of recent challenges, including issues with name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation.
“I need to make fundamental changes to the program,” Willard stated. “That’s what I’m focused on right now… I want this program to be great. I want it to be the best in the country, I want to win a national championship, but there’s things that need to change.”
As Maryland triumphed over teams like Grand Canyon and Colorado State, leading to Willard’s first Sweet 16 run with the team since 2016, he openly expressed uncertainty about his next steps, admitting he had not yet spoken with his agent or family about his future.
A New Chapter at Villanova
At Villanova, Willard steps in to replace Kyle Neptune, whose tenure failed to yield a single NCAA tournament appearance over three seasons. Neptune took the reins after the unexpected retirement of Jay Wright, who led the Wildcats to multiple national championships and Final Four appearances.
Willard returns to the Big East, a familiar landscape after spending 12 seasons at Seton Hall, where he notched five NCAA tournament berths and captured a share of the Big East regular-season title in 2020. His coaching experience also includes a tenure at Iona and assistant roles under notable figures such as Rick Pitino.
Looking Ahead
With Willard at the helm, Villanova aims to reclaim its position among the elite programs in college basketball. As the new head coach takes on this challenge, expectations are high for immediate success and a resurgence in the Wildcats’ formidable reputation.
Details of Willard’s appointment will likely be formalized in the coming days, marking the beginning of a new era for Villanova basketball.