After a whirlwind cross-country trip, new men’s basketball head coach Kevin Willard held a press conference over Zoom last Wednesday, April 2.
On March 31, he flew to Indianapolis, IN to watch the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) semifinal between Villanova and Belmont. The next day, Willard jetted off to Las Vegas, NV for the men’s Crown Tournament quarterfinal between Villanova and the University of Southern California.
By Wednesday, he was back on campus, facing the press and readying himself to take over for interim head coach Mike Nardi, who filled in for former head coach Kyle Neptune. But Willard had already begun work: showing face in Indianapolis, talking to donors in Vegas and starting transfer portal action were all part of his top priorities at Villanova. Based on his initial actions, Willard seeks to be a dynamic, future-focused and public coach.
While Willard will meet with reporters in-person on Wednesday, April 9, he provided early insights on his priorities at Villanova during his first official press conference.
“The simple message is, I’m gonna embrace the Villanova community and embrace the Villanova way,” Willard said. “I’m excited to join that community and join that culture. From a basketball standpoint, we’re gonna get back to building on what Kyle [Neptune] and his staff had done. Get everyone excited again, and get everyone engaged again.”
Some of the products of Willard’s initial moves were revealed on Monday, April 7.
Incoming four-star recruit Chris Jeffrey decommitted from Maryland, announcing his decision to come to Villanova instead. Shortly after, rising sophomore guard Malachi Palmer transferred out of Maryland, following Willard to the Main Line.
As for the bench, Willard brought over his squad of assistant coaches: David Cox, Kevin Norris and Greg Manning Jr. The only Villanova assistant he retained is Ashley Howard.
The shake-up at Villanova involves the departure of Nardi and former assistant coaches Dwayne Anderson II and Jamie Young. Meanwhile, Maryland fans continue to express outrage over the way that Willard’s own exit unfolded. Resentful Terrapins, along with ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, accused Willard of lacking loyalty and transparency.
After the Sweet Sixteen loss, Willard chose not to accept a massive, close to six-million-dollar contract extension from Maryland.
“Normal fans just don’t understand what went on,” Willard said last Wednesday. “The timeline, no one knows it. No one understands it. I can’t change that, and I’m not worried about that. Maryland just got a great coach in Buzz [Williams], and I’m really happy for them…I just think it’s time that everyone moves on.”
“Moving on” is the best path forward for Willard. He has a new fanbase to rally, new donors to impress and a new program to run, which makes dwelling on the controversy around his hiring only distraction from the serious work that lies ahead of him.
Willard did acknowledge some accountability for his comments during the tense press conferences of Maryland’s Sweet Sixteen run, while rumors circulated of his leaving the program. He criticized Maryland for its limited funding and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for players.
“Unfortunately, sometimes my passion for my program and my passion for my players comes out,” Willard said, framing his comments in retrospect.
Willard encounters a Villanova that is feeling deflated from three years without an NCAA Tournament appearance. In that sense, an extremely passionate leader, and one who covets a generous NIL cache, may be exactly what ‘Nova Nation needs.
Willard is eager to embrace the future, both in regards to NIL and to establishing the next generation of Villanova greats. While some coaches plan to rotate one-year grad transfers every season, Willard said he’s still committed to recruiting and developing underclassmen. Villanova has already seen that in its young new commits, Jeffrey and Palmer.
“I think the portal is going to shrink dramatically in the next couple of years,” Willard said. “So, I think it’s really important to develop young men. I think that’s our job as college coaches. I enjoy that aspect of coaching more than anything…It’s very hard just to bring transfers in every year and keep a culture that you want to work.”
This week’s House v. NCAA settlement raises myriad questions about what the future of the program will look like. Willard has wasted no time in getting his new responsibilities under way, and putting the past behind him.
