After a two-week search following the dismissal of former head coach Kyle Neptune, Villanova has formally announced that former University of Maryland Head Coach Kevin Willard will join the Men’s Basketball program as the tenth head coach in team history. Willard is coming off of a Sweet 16 appearance where his Terps fell 71-87 to the No. 1 seeded Florida Gators.
“Coach Willard quickly stood out among an impressive pool of candidates during a comprehensive national search,” said Villanova University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA. “Throughout the process, Coach Willard demonstrated that he has the vision and experience to guide Villanova basketball in the changing world of college athletics. Beyond his notable success on the court, we were also impressed by his ability to articulate how Villanova basketball fits into the overarching mission of the university.”
Willard’s time with Maryland saw a fair amount of success. Joining the program in 2022, the Terps made the NCAA Tournament twice in his three years as head coach, making the Round of 32 in 2023 and the Sweet 16 this season. In 2024-25, he was named the NABC East District Coach of the Year.
Willard’s issues in Maryland — he turned down an extension to join Villanova —seemed to be related to a perceived lack of commitment by the university to basketball greatness, specifically relating to a lack of NIL support — a problem that does not exist at Villanova.
“I want this program to be great,” Willard said following Maryland’s loss to Florida. “I want it to be the best in the country, I want to win a national championship, but there’s things that need to change. … I need to make sure that where we are with (name, image and likeness) and revenue share is not where we’ve been with NIL over the past two years. We’ve been one of the worst, if not lowest, in the NIL in the last two years. So that’s first and foremost.”
Now officially a Wildcat, Willard appears ready for this next chapter.
“My family and I would like to thank the Villanova Board of Trustees, President Father Peter Donohue and Eric Roedl for this incredible opportunity,” said Willard. “Villanova Basketball has a deep tradition of excellence and a culture that is second to none in college basketball. We are thrilled to be a part of it and join the Villanova community.”
Villanova is not a premier player in the 2025 recruiting race — though they are still a possibility for guard Dante Allen — so any first-year improvements would have to come in the form of in-house developments and potential transfers. The loss of Eric Dixon will hurt more than words can say, but the hiring of Willard is an investment, not a get-rich-quick scheme.
It’s clear that Villanova is ready to build something with this program and that the university shares Willard’s desire for greatness on the court. It may take a bit of time, but the pieces are being assembled for a new generation of Villanova basketball and, hopefully, a return to greatness.
