Kevin Willard left the Maryland Terrapins male basketball team to take care of the Wildcats in Villanova, trying to resurrect the program that saw Jay Wright leave a few years ago.
Willard’s departure occurred after the Terrapins had a fun career in March Madness, which saw Derik Queen’s drummer gave them a victory over the state of Colorado. Maryland’s career ended at Sweet 16 with a defeat against Florida Gators No. 1.
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Sports announcer Scott Van Pelt reacts during the second half in the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Spartans of the Michigan state at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland, on February 26, 2025. (Reggie Hildred-Imagn images)
It was the deepest tournament for the Willard team since he took over the Terps before the start of the 2022-23 season. He had been with the Pirates of Seton Hall before that.
However, as fast as it arrived, Willard left. It was announced as the new chief coach in Villanova on Sunday when the Wildcats prepared for the university basketball crown. Willard’s decision to leave Maryland’s fans, including ESPN’s announcer, Scott Van Pelt.
“Of course, Kevin Willard can go to Villanova,” Van Pelt began. “Of course, you can return to your Big East roots. Of course, if it is better for your family, we are wild, but we are not wild without a soul. If it is better for your family, of course. But maybe not take a giant s — in the front steps of the house where you have lived during the last three years.
Maryland Terrapins chief coach Kevin Willard, addresses the media at a press conference during the regional practice of the NCAA West tournament at the Chase Center in San Francisco on March 26, 2025. (Kyle Terada-Imagn images)
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“You do not harm the university and the program where you have been for three years. And you do not make efforts of the people behind the scene who poured their hearts and souls in this for free to try to fill the holes. And tell them, ‘No, I love this university and I just want it to be great. And I am anal, and I am a hole and I just want this program to be the best.
“You may not tell those people who repeatedly when everyone in the industry tells me: ‘Scott, why are they wasting time? This is done. Everyone in the business knows it. It has left'”.
ESPN commentator, Scott Van Pelt, reacts during the second half in the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland, on January 29, 2025. (Reggie Hildred-Imagn images)
Van Pelt, a Maryland graduate, seemed to be upset with how Willard began the tournament. The coach took subtle shots to the principal of outcome athletics, Damon Evans, and complained about the lack of null resources that the program had.
The station suggested that Willard’s requests were not made in good faith.
Anyway, Willard is on a new trip. He had 65-39 in three seasons in Maryland. He spent 12 years in Seton Hall and three years in Iona.
