Discussions surrounding coaches’ contracts and potential moves frequently arise during the NCAA Tournament, and coaches often push back against these inquiries. A recent instance involved Maryland head coach Kevin Willard after the Terrapins’ 81-49 first-round win over Grand Canyon. When asked about “The situation with Damon,” referring to athletic director Damon Evans, who was engaged in negotiations for Willard’s new contract before leaving for SMU, Willard responded humorously:
Kevin Willard: “the only situation is you guys and Twitter” 😂 pic.twitter.com/enU6WIKyv2
— Inside the Black & Gold (@Insideblackgold) March 22, 2025
The question arose: “With the situation with Damon, how much did you have to black out that distraction?” Willard insisted, “There’s no situation. The only situation is you guys and Twitter. I can’t control you or Twitter.” He relayed to his players the events affecting him, including receiving a term sheet for a new contract the previous Thursday but withholding his signature due to uncertainties about the athletic director position and media reports linking him to Villanova.
“I’ve talked to these guys, I’ve been open with them, they know exactly what’s going on.” However, he quickly shifted into critiquing the media:
“I can’t control you guys. Whatever I say, you’re going to write whatever you want anyway. It’s a waste of my time. We have a website that might as well be TMZ. I can only manage what’s within my control. We are focused; I’m excited to be here and with these guys. There’s nothing else to discuss. You’ll write whatever you want. I don’t give a s**t.”
(After the clip, Willard quipped, “I’ll probably get a letter from the NCAA on that one.”)
Willard’s aversion to discussing the off-field situation is understandable. Nevertheless, his assertion that “there is no situation” is curious, especially since he had brought many of these issues to light during a pre-tournament press conference. In that setting, he commented on Evans’ likely departure and criticized program administrative decisions while advocating for more resources:
“He’s probably going to SMU. It’s tough to negotiate with someone who may not be here, but I need to make fundamental changes to the program. That’s what I’m focused on right now, which explains why a deal hasn’t been finalized.”
“We’ve been among the lowest in NIL over the last two years,” Willard stated.
Willard, previously head coach at Seton Hall, highlighted that the athletic department rejected his request for his team to stay an extra night in New York City for a game last December.
“I wanted to spend an extra night in New York for Christmas with my team, but I was told it was too expensive. I can’t see how we can be a top-tier program if we can’t afford that.”
Given the possibility of a new athletic director’s appointment and Willard’s reported interest in Villanova, he appears to be in a favorable position following this win. His press conference seems to have bolstered his standing, with articles suggesting “Kevin Willard played his hand, and it looks like a winning one” by Jerry Brewer in The Washington Post, and another noting “Kevin Willard’s power play becomes more potent with each Terps win” at The Baltimore Sun. Additionally, reports linking Willard to Villanova could enhance his bargaining strength or provide him a pathway out if Maryland negotiations falter.
However, Willard’s dismissal of the question and critiques of the media warrant further consideration. The reporter posed a legitimate inquiry, recognizing the off-court situation with Evans’ departure, confirmed during the game. Willard himself had proactively discussed his contract and issues with Evans and the athletic department during his presser.
The inquiry concerning how he blocks out such distractions to focus on on-court matters was a fair approach. His assertion that “There is no situation” seems misaligned, particularly given his earlier acknowledgments prior to Evans’ departure. While many coaches may refrain from commenting, Willard had previously opted to speak publicly.
His candid responses about his relationship with Evans and the athletic department were commendable, aligning with the unexpected openness displayed in other recent off-field discussions. Yet, phrases like “The only situation is you guys and Twitter” do not withstand scrutiny, especially as Willard contributed to the narrative.
He’s correct that he can only control certain aspects, and that does not extend to media coverage. His openness with players is a positive point. Interestingly, not everyone perceived this as an attack on the media; Brewer remarked that while the words may seem like a scolding, they appeared more comedic. Nevertheless, Willard’s remarks suggested some discontent toward media inquiries about the “situation,” which seems unwarranted given that he played a part in bringing it to public attention.
