PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kevin Willard deadpanned that — no, he hadn't heard the laundry list of complaints lodged against him by Maryland fans and former players and, well, the list goes on — that he threw his program under the bus and then happily got behind the wheel to steamroll over their carcass all while the Terrapins made a run to the Sweet 16.
But yes, Willard confessed, he was generally aware of the consensus sentiment that he used Maryland as just a pawn to get whatever it was he wanted at a traditional power such as Villanova.
So perhaps Willard knew Maryland alumnus and ESPN star Scott Van Pelt went scorched earth on him and said, among many criticisms levied, “you don’t do damage to the university and program where you’ve been for three years.” So perhaps Willard heard Jimmy's Famous Seafood — the self-proclaimed home of “ the world's greatest crabcakes!" — stuck snakehead bites on the menu in honor (honor?) of the former Maryland coach with all proceeds donated to Maryland's name, likeness and image efforts. Or that all-time Terrapins great Len Elmore said he was weary of ”mercenary coaches" who played the school like fiddles.
Yeah, it's a long list of unhappy Terrapins.
And the damage done was ... nothing.
Willard landed at a Villanova program — that while foundered for three seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance under former coach Kyle Neptune — still has elite status within reach with deep NIL coffers and a whopping payout ahead courtesy of the proposed upcoming House settlement. Maryland forged ahead by plucking Buzz Williams away from Texas A&M. He has also coached at Virginia Tech, Marquette and New Orleans. One could argue another mercenary coach in it for the payday.
Williams bounced on to a new gig. Just like Willard. Just like so many successful coaches in March — consider, there are two of four coaches already who won a game in the tournament — and have moved on to a new, presumably better job with deeper pockets.
Willard understands why he caught some heat.
He publicly campaigned — pleaded, really — during Maryland’s run to the Sweet 16 for more from the university and athletic department for his Big Ten program.
More of everything — “fundamental changes,” he called them — that really came down to more money, so much more, being funneled into basketball. Willard wanted Maryland to share its plan for revenue sharing with athletes and questioned how the Terrapins could ever be a “top tier” program as the race in college sports to outspend for players and all the adjacent bells and whistles nearly rivals professional levels.
“I think some of my comments during the NCAA Tournament probably could have been a little bit less abrasive,” Willard said Wednesday. “Unfortunately, sometimes when my passion for my program, my passion for my players comes out, I get a little excited. The only thing I'm going to say is, normal fans just don't understand what went on.”
And for those at Maryland with hurt feelings, “I just think it’s time everyone moves on.”
In fairness, it's been two or three days.
Willard expressed concerns with the direction of Maryland’s program on the eve of the Terps’ opening game in the NCAA ...
