Kevin Willard made headlines throughout Maryland's run to the Sweet 16 this month, teasing what ultimately went down on Sunday as he was officially named the new head coach at Villanova.
Nova's interest in Willard was well-known since the team parted with Kyle Neptune at the conclusion of their season, but instead of downplaying his potential exit, Willard used their interest as leverage in potential negotiations, publicly lambasting the Maryland athletic department's apparent lack of commitment to basketball.
Suffice to say, the Maryland faithful didn't appreciate it. Whether or not the issues Willard brought up were valid, the manner and timing in which he did it -- with the Terps in the middle of a tournament run with real potential -- didn't sit well with many college basketball fans. Willard was booed before the team even took the court for the Sweet 16, and the jeering only continued Sunday after his exit was made official.
Kevin Willard got booed before a Sweet 16 game at the team hotel. Truly a one-of-a-kind exit. https://t.co/3Vh1dkON7epic.twitter.com/t1eULzycTM
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) March 30, 2025
Did Willard also use those Mayflower moving vans too??
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) March 30, 2025
Escaping in the middle of the night just like the Baltimore Colts. https://t.co/mkcexrhS9F
Good riddance. We need to take a note of the past 2 hiring of guys who left UMD in shambles. Willard and he who shall not be named. Both weren’t Maryland guys, instead had this fake idea of where Maryland should be. Both left with more problems than they arrived with. https://t.co/rkWl9GBR9e
— Ellis McKennie (@ellismckennie) March 30, 2025
The poster boy for what needs to change in college athletics.
— Stephen Neukam (@stephen_neukam) March 30, 2025
Good riddance dirtbag https://t.co/36WZNuGSW9
If you want a crash course on what not to do when potentially transitioning from one job to another, take a peek at Kevin ...
