Maryland men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard made on-record comments Thursday that shook the college basketball world, sharing that his athletic director was leaving for another school before an official announcement while airing out his program’s most “fundamental” issues.
Willard, who’s been floated as a candidate for Villanova’s job opening, quickly changed his tune after the Terps’ win over Grand Canyon on Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament. When asked about blocking out distractions like his Maryland future and Damon Evans’ departure for SMU, Willard said “there is no situation.”
“The only situation is you guys and Twitter. And I can’t control you guys and I can’t control Twitter,” Willard said. “I’m excited to be here, I’m excited to be with these guys. There’s nothing else to talk about. You guys just write whatever the hell you want to write — I don’t give a shit, I really don’t.”
But Willard admitted in a follow-up question that he “didn’t say anything that’s false.” He spoke candidly about issues with Maryland’s NIL and revenue sharing, negotiations on his amended contract and what his vision is for the future of the program.
“I’m 49 years old. I want to be coaching for another 15 years,” Willard said on Friday. “My job is my passion, and if something’s not better and I have an opportunity to make it better, I’m going to make it better … I know how to play the game.”
He played it by using the press to his advantage at his Thursday news conference. Willard’s words made headlines across news outlets and spread rapidly on social media, with many Maryland fans growing frustrated with the lack of resources the athletic department gives the men’s basketball program.
And while those comments got people talking, Willard knows that won’t be enough for change. He said on Friday the only real way to create change is by putting it in your contract. Referring to athletic administrators, Willard said “they’re going to lie to you” if you don’t put pen to paper.
Willard still hasn’t shot down the Villanova rumors directly, and although he said he wants to remain at Maryland for the long haul, he hasn’t signed a new contract. Evans gave him a term sheet on Sunday, just a few days before leaving for SMU.
[Damon Evans departs Maryland for SMU, Colleen Sorem named interim athletic director]
Negotiations for that could pick up again soon, as Evans officially announced his departure on Friday while Colleen Sorem was named interim athletic director.
The noise around the team didn’t seem to affect much on Friday. The Terps thrashed Grand Canyon, 81-49, and players cracked jokes with Willard on the bench in the waning minutes of the blowout.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie said Willard addressed the rumors with his team on Thursday. The junior guard said he wasn’t worried about any of it and that he’s only focused on the tournament.
“That has nothing to do with this team,” Gillespie said. “We’ve been working all year, we’re not gonna let something like that ruin our chance to win a lot of games here.”
There was a chance Willard’s tactics could’ve been a distraction during the most important time of the year — but he wasn’t worried about that, and said he just wants to help his program.
“My job to the University of Maryland, to our season ticket holders, to my donors, is to try to make this program the best it can be,” he said. “I’m going to fight for it every day.”
