Kevin Willard is coming back to the Big East.
The former Seton Hall coach has accepted an offer to become Villanova’s new head coach, the school announced Sunday morning.
Jeff Erman of InsideMD Sports was first to report the news.
Willard was set to have a team meeting with his Maryland players Sunday morning, a source told NJ Advance Media.
Willard will replace Kyle Neptune, who was fired earlier this month after three seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance. It’s possible Maryland standouts Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Rodney Rice could enter the portal and follow Willard to Villanova.
Willard, 49, is 335-249 for his career with just one Sweet 16 appearance, this season.
“My family and I would like to thank the Villanova Board of Trustees, President Father Peter Donohue and Eric Roedl for this incredible opportunity,” Willard said. “Villanova Basketball has a deep tradition of excellence and a culture that is second to none in college basketball. We are thrilled to be a part of it and join the Villanova community.”
“Coach Willard quickly stood out among an impressive pool of candidates during a comprehensive national search,” said Villanova University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA. “Throughout the process, Coach Willard demonstrated that he has the vision and experience to guide Villanova Basketball in the changing world of college athletics. Beyond his notable success on the court, we were also impressed by his ability to articulate how Villanova Basketball fits into the overarching mission of the University.”
Willard led the Terrapins to 65 victories in three seasons in College Park, including a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2024-25, he was named the NABC East District Coach of the Year. In his first season at the helm (2022-23), he led the Terps to a 22-13 record, a Top 25 national ranking, and a Second Round NCAA Tournament appearance.
“Coach Willard is an outstanding leader of young men and brings extensive experience and success as a head coach to Villanova,” said Villanova Vice President and Director of Athletics Eric Roedl. “We are excited about the future of Villanova Basketball under his leadership, and look forward to welcoming Coach, his wife Julie, and their sons—Colin and Chase—to the Villanova community.”
Willard was booed at his send-off ahead of the Florida game as Maryland fans became increasingly irritated with his recent comments and the perception that he was dissing the school in the middle of the NCAA Tournament.
Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported that Maryland had an offer on the table that would pay Willard “over $5 million” annually, and that Willard would weigh taking that or returning to the Big East at Villanova.
His departure leaves Maryland without a coach nearly a week after the transfer portal opened on Monday. Some early names linked to the job are Tony Skinn (George Mason), Buzz Williams (Texas A&M) and former Maryland standout Duane Simpkins (American).
Willard left Seton Hall in 2022 and signed a seven-year contract with a total value of $29.4 million starting at $3.9 million in 2022-23 with a $100,000 escalator each season.
Lately, he has not been shy regarding his concerns about Maryland’s NIL situation and the changing of the guard at the athletic director position, even appearing to advocate for Brian Ullman, the vice president for marketing and communications.
While a football school like Maryland is expected to devote most of its $20.5 million in revenue-sharing money to football, a Big East school like Villanova could devote $4-8 million exclusively to basketball.
Willard is obviously familiar with the Big East, having coached at Seton Hall for 12 years and winning a Big East Tournament title with The Hall in 2016.
Interim coach Mike Nardi will lead Villanova against Colorado in the first round of The College Basketball Crown on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Willard had not yet reached out to Nardi as of late Saturday night, sources said.
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com.