5 things to know about Kevin Willard, the new Villanova men's basketball coach
After missing three consecutive NCAA tournaments, Villanova was ready for a change. Maryland’s Kevin Willard will replace Kyle Neptune as the school’s men’s basketball coach. Here are five things you need to know about Willard, the team’s second coach since Jay Wright retired …
After missing three consecutive NCAA tournaments, Villanova was ready for a change. Maryland’s Kevin Willard will replace Kyle Neptune as the school’s men’s basketball coach. Here are five things you need to know about Willard, the team’s second coach since Jay Wright retired …
His Pitt roots
Before coaching, Willard played college basketball at Western Kentucky and the University of Pittsburgh. His father, Ralph, was the coach at Western Kentucky for four years before taking the head coach position with Pittsburgh.
His Pitt roots
Before coaching, Willard played college basketball at Western Kentucky and the University of Pittsburgh. His father, Ralph, was the coach at Western Kentucky for four years before taking the head coach position with Pittsburgh.
Willard was a point guard at Western Kentucky for one year (1993-94) before following in his father’s footsteps and transferring to play two seasons at Pitt (1994-97), where he averaged 2.9 points and 2.4 assists.
Willard was a point guard at Western Kentucky for one year (1993-94) before following in his father’s footsteps and transferring to play two seasons at Pitt (1994-97), where he averaged 2.9 points and 2.4 assists.
Early coaching years
Willard’s coaching experience began as an assistant with the Celtics, working under Rick Pitino for four years (1997-2001). This was just another thing Willard had in common with his father, who also worked with Pitino and the Knicks.
Early coaching years
Willard’s coaching experience began as an assistant with the Celtics, working under Rick Pitino for four years (1997-2001). This was just another thing Willard had in common with his father, who also worked with Pitino and the Knicks.
When Pitino resigned and became the coach at Louisville, Willard followed. He spent the next six years there before taking his first head-coaching position with Iona, where he replaced former Sixers player and assistant coach Jeff Ruland.
When Pitino resigned and became the coach at Louisville, Willard followed. He spent the next six years there before taking his first head-coaching position with Iona, where he replaced former Sixers player and assistant coach Jeff Ruland.
Style on Villanova sidelines
Willard’s father and Pitino were the two biggest influences on his coaching style — and his style in general. The coach, like Wright famously did, wears suits on game days. He told The Diamondback it’s out of respect for the game.
Style on Villanova sidelines
Willard’s father and Pitino were the two biggest influences on his coaching style — and his style in general. The coach, like Wright famously did, wears suits on game days. He told The Diamondback it’s out of respect for the game.
“I think my father is one of the best coaches that’s ever coached. From the high school level to the college level, he wore a suit,” Willard told Maryland’s school paper. “And then coach Pitino — I mean, if you had your shirt untucked the wrong way, he’d let you know about it.”
“I think my father is one of the best coaches that’s ever coached. From the high school level to the college level, he wore a suit,” Willard told Maryland’s school paper. “And then coach Pitino — I mean, if you had your shirt untucked the wrong way, he’d let you know about it.”
His Big East experience
After his first head-coaching job at Iona (2007-10), he spent 12 seasons at Seton Hall, posting a 225-161 record. During his tenure, he led the Pirates to a Big East championship, and four straight NCAA tournament appearances.
His Big East experience
After his first head-coaching job at Iona (2007-10), he spent 12 seasons at Seton Hall, posting a 225-161 record. During his tenure, he led the Pirates to a Big East championship, and four straight NCAA tournament appearances.
Three seasons with the Terps
Willard spent the last three seasons at Maryland, compiling a 63-38 record and two NCAA tournament berths, including a trip to the Sweet 16 this year. The No. 4 seeding for the “Crab Five” was the highest for Maryland since 2015.
Three seasons with the Terps
Willard spent the last three seasons at Maryland, compiling a 63-38 record and two NCAA tournament berths, including a trip to the Sweet 16 this year. The No. 4 seeding for the “Crab Five” was the highest for Maryland since 2015.