When the Maryland Terrapins defeated the Colorado State Rams with a thrilling comeback and buzzer beater to reach the Sweet 16, the program should have been filled with joy. Head coach Kevin Willard advanced past the first weekend for the first time in seven NCAA tournament appearances, and a victory over top-seeded Florida would have sent the Terps to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2002. However, in the days leading up to the game, Willard appeared distant from the team, reportedly contemplating the vacant Villanova Wildcats position, which resulted in him being booed by Maryland fans during the Florida game.
In his postgame press conference after the loss to Florida, Willard dismissed the idea that he was focused on Villanova, but he was hired just days later. During his introductory press conference with the Wildcats, Willard addressed how his time at Maryland concluded and expressed a desire to move forward. “I think some of my comments during the NCAA tournament probably could have been a little less abrasive,” Willard remarked, via ESPN. “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. I just think it’s time that everyone moved on,” he added.
Maryland has already appointed Buzz Williams, former head coach at Marquette, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M, to fill the vacancy left by Willard. Meanwhile, Willard takes over for Kyle Neptune at Villanova, who was dismissed shortly after the season ended following three seasons and a lackluster 54-47 record. This transition marks a return to the Big East for the 49-year-old, who previously coached the Seton Hall Pirates for 12 years before his tenure at Maryland.
