A couple weeks ago, Villanova University announced that University of Maryland’s Kevin Willard is going to be the new men’s basketball coach. After this breaking news, students had thoughts about this new leadership and how it will change Villanova basketball.
“Coach Willard is an excellent choice for the team,” sophomore Genna Cottingham said. “His thorough experience will be a shining light that this school longs for in our basketball program.”
For freshmen, like Dev Patel, Willard marks a new step for their time at Villanova, a team that hasn’t made an NCAA Tournament since 2022.
“I like the hire as bringing in a proven coach is the direction I wanted them to go and they did that with Willard,” Patel said.
Others, like AJ Olczak, are hoping for Willard to jump out to a hot start in the new season.
“I think this change will be good for him and Villanova and has an opportunity for great spirit as long as he starts strong,” Olczak said.
Some students who are from Maryland, where Willard formerly coached, also are excited about the upcoming transition.
“I’m from Maryland, so I would love to see him represent my state and make us look good,” sophomore Cassie Hubbard said.
Sophomore Noelle Barczak agrees, with Willard hopefully bringing some of that Maryland energy to the Wildcats.
“As someone originally from Maryland, I’m so excited to see the new energy (and old bay) the new coach has to offer,” Barczak said.
Students believe that considering the turnaround time, he was the right decision and are excited about what he will add to the team.
“I believe he was the right choice in the time frame that was given,” Cottingham said.
Others think he can bring an energy, a jolt to the sidelines that some think has been lacking in recent seasons.
“I think he can bring a good mentality and liveliness to the team,” Olczak said.
Students are also optimistic about his experience being a head coach for 21 seasons over his career and find that he will be a good fit for the University.
“I’m curious to see what he has to bring to the table, he definitely has experience, the winning determination and has shown some success,” sophomore Kovas Jeleniauskas said.
Students also feel that Coach Willard will bring forth a new spirit within Villanova basketball culture.
“I think the coach will bring back school spirit and be good for the Wildcats,” sophomore Liam Mote said.
Others are excited but lettting time play out here, after the up-and-down seasons under Kyle Neptune as coach.
“I think he is a good choice,” Olczak said. “Only time will tell, but I am excited for this next step in basketball and hopefully Finn games will be like they once were.”
“Changes will definitely take time to come into fruition, but a new presence will revive the school spirit of Nova Nation, on and off campus,” Cottingham said.
Willard is also giving students hope for the following years to come for the future of Villanova basketball.
“The new basketball coach is giving students hope for March Madness again,” sophomore Annie Kinsella said.
Overall, students feel excited about the new leadership coming into the Villanova basketball spirit. Students also hope that the new coach will help establish the excitement for men’s basketball that the Villanova student body once had for two decades under Jay Wright.
“The school spirit surrounding the basketball team was always there,” Cottingham said. “However, under new leadership our school will have a new sense of hope for the future of our program.”
