Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Sources: Maryland's Willard takes Villanova job

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Sunday, 30 March 2025 05:11

Maryland's Kevin Willard accepted Villanova's offer to become the program's next head coach, sources confirmed to ESPN, ending more than a week of speculation.

An official announcement could come as early as Sunday.

Maryland just completed one of its best seasons in the past 20 years, earning a 4-seed in the NCAA tournament and making a run to the Sweet 16 before falling to top-seeded Florida. The Terrapins finished 27-9 overall and 14-6 in the Big Ten and were ranked in the top 10 in most predictive metrics. After a 1-3 start to Big Ten play, Maryland lost just four games to Big Ten opponents the rest of the season by a combined nine points.

Willard spent three seasons in College Park, going 65-39 with two NCAA tournament appearances.

He made headlines before Maryland's first-round NCAA tournament game against Grand Canyon when he essentially broke the news of Maryland athletic director Damon Evans leaving for SMU and explained why he hasn't signed a new contract in College Park.

"I need to make fundamental changes to the program," Willard said. "That's what I'm focused on right now. That's why probably a deal hasn't got done because I want to see -- I need to see fundamental changes done. 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.

"I need to make sure that we are where we are with NIL, and rev share is not where we've been with NIL over the past two years. We've been one of the worst, if not lowest, in the NIL in the last two years. So, that's first and foremost. I also have to make a fundamental change where I can do the things that I want to do with my program. I wanted to spend an extra night in New York this year to celebrate Christmas with my team and I was told that we can't do that because it's too expensive. So, I don't know how we can be a top-tier program and I can't spend one extra night in New York because it's too expensive."

As Maryland knocked off Grand Canyon and Colorado State to advance to Willard's first Sweet 16 and the first for the Terps since 2016, the head coach's message didn't change. He acknowledged after Maryland's Sweet 16 loss to Florida on Thursday that he didn't know his next step.

"I don't know what I'm doing," Willard said. "I'll be honest with you. I haven't talked to my agent. I haven't talked to my wife."

At Villanova, Willard will replace Kyle Neptune, who failed to reach the NCAA tournament in any of his three seasons in charge of the Wildcats. Neptune took over in 2022 after the sudden retirement of Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright, who led Villanova to two national championships and four Final Four appearances.

It marks a return to the Big East for Willard, a Long Island, New York, native who spent 12 seasons as the head coach at Seton Hall. He led the Pirates to five NCAA tournament appearances and a share of the Big East regular-season title in 2020 -- when the program was on track for its highest NCAA tournament seed in nearly 30 years before the tournament was canceled due to the pandemic.

Before taking over at Seton Hall, Willard was the head coach at Iona for three seasons and an assistant coach under Rick Pitino at Louisville and with the Boston Celtics. Willard's father, Ralph, had previously spent time on Pitino's staff at multiple stops.

News of Willard accepting Villanova's offer was first reported by Inside Maryland Sports.

Read 48 times

Soccer

TST: Solo, Agüero learn matchups for $1M tourney

TST: Solo, Agüero learn matchups for $1M tourney

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe seven-on-seven soccer teams led by Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Ali...

Arteta reluctant to rest key Arsenal players in PL

Arteta reluctant to rest key Arsenal players in PL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsArsenal manager Mikel Arteta has suggested he won't be resting Buka...

Ex-KC GK Schult: Euro teams don't want moms

Ex-KC GK Schult: Euro teams don't want moms

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAs an Olympic gold medalist and Champions League winner, Almuth Sch...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Silver: Playoff ratings 'fantastic' for first weekend

Silver: Playoff ratings 'fantastic' for first weekend

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNASHVILLE, Tenn. -- NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday that...

Edwards fined $50K for obscene gesture to fan

Edwards fined $50K for obscene gesture to fan

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been...

Baseball

Guardians place Thomas on IL with bruised wrist

Guardians place Thomas on IL with bruised wrist

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Guardians center fielder Lane Thomas was placed on the...

Lindor swats slow-start stigma, fuels Mets' win

Lindor swats slow-start stigma, fuels Mets' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Francisco Lindor is off to a smashing start, for a chan...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated