The saga between men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard, Maryland and the head coach opening at Villanova has been evolving with no shortage of drama over the last two weeks.
A day before the Terps’ Sweet 16 matchup against No. 1-seeded Florida on Thursday, the story may have reached a peak.
After a week where he was remarkably open and unfiltered about topics that coaches are usually tight-lipped about, Willard avoided talking about his future at Maryland for the first time.
Catch up on Willard’s comments about his future at Maryland since reports indicated him as a possibility for Villanova’s opening earlier this month with The Diamondback’s timeline of events.
March 15: Villanova job opens
Villanova fired men’s basketball coach Kyle Neptune, the successor of legendary coach Jay Wright, after three years.
Willard became one of three names frequently speculated for the job along with then-New Mexico coach Richard Pitino and then-VCU coach Ryan Odom.
March 16: Maryland, Willard talk contract on Selection Sunday
Sources: Maryland is working on a new contract for Kevin Willard that will make him one of the Top 10 highest paid coaches in college basketball.
The deal will include one of the highest revenue share budgets in the country along with a new $50 million dollar practice facility.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 16, 2025
CBS’ Jon Rothstein was the first to report Willard’s contract negotiations. A team spokesperson confirmed Rothstein’s report to The Diamondback shortly after.
Willard didn’t go into specifics at a media availability after the selection show, but said he and athletic director Damon Evans were on the same page regarding their vision for the program.
Willard later said Evans gave him a term sheet for a new contract on Selection Sunday.
March 20: The chaos begins
Reports began surfacing that Evans was expected to leave Maryland for the same position at Southern Methodist University, which Willard all but confirmed.
“[Evans is] probably going to SMU, so it’s kind of tough to negotiate with somebody that’s maybe not here,” Willard said.
[‘It haunted me:’ Kevin Willard finally breaks through to his first Sweet 16]
The coach proceeded to talk about needing to see fundamental changes to the program, which, along with Evans’ impending departure, contributed to why no deal was complete, according to Willard.
He mentioned needing improved revenue sharing and Name, Image and Likeness, and also mentioned how the athletic department didn’t let the team spend an extra night in New York to celebrate Christmas.
“I was told that we can’t do that because it’s too expensive,” Willard said. “I don’t know how we can be a top-tier program, and I can’t spend one extra night in New York because it’s too expensive.”
Willard and players both said the coach addressed the rumors of his departure to his team, reassuring his players and hopefully eliminating the distraction. The night before, speculation that Willard had an offer from Villanova grew.
March 21: March Madness begins, press conference pandemonium continues
After Maryland’s 81-49 win over Grand Canyon, Willard proclaimed “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.”
Clearly, there was a situation.
Willard said he needed the guarantees about improving the program’s resources in his contract, adding that athletic directors will lie about promises if they are not in writing.
“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,” Willard said. “I know how to play the game.”
March 21: Evans’ departure becomes official
SMU and Maryland each announced Evans’ move after the Terps’ opening round win. Colleen Sorem, who was previously Maryland’s senior deputy athletic director and chief operating officer, was named interim athletic director.
[Derik Queen sends Maryland men’s basketball to first Sweet 16 since 2016 with 72-71 win]
March 22: One candidate off the board
Virginia announced it hired Odom from VCU, leaving Willard and Pitino as the two likeliest choices reported to be under consideration for Villanova’s opening.
March 23: Terps reach Sweet 16
Derik Queen’s buzzer-beater sent Maryland to its first Sweet 16 since 2016 and its second since 2003. The Terps beat Colorado State, 72-71, giving Willard his first Sweet 16 appearance as a head coach.
March 24: Transfer portal opens
The transfer portal opened on Monday, which meant most schools with head coach openings want to fill those as soon as possible.
March 25: “As of right now”
On the Kevin Sheehan Show, Willard said he wasn’t leaving Maryland “as of right now.”
Willard added that he was talking with deputy athletic director and chief strategy officer Brian Ullman about a new deal.
The “as of right now” was certainly scary for Terps fans — but the coach had plenty of praise for Ullman, saying he was listening to Willard’s concerns. Willard said he “absolutely” thinks he would get what he needs to stay at Maryland next year and beyond.
“Maryland’s been great. We’re in perfect shape. Everything with my concerns about the job, and that was my point in the press conference – maybe my Jersey came out of me there. It’s not a contractual thing for me – it’s more of a program thing.” – Kevin Willard on @team980
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 25, 2025
March 25: Locksley chimes in
If the men’s basketball program were to get the resources Willard wanted, it could come at the expense of football. Football coach Michael Locksley said he had no comment on Willard’s remarks at football’s spring media day Tuesday, but added that he would have approached the situation differently.
“Every family has their issues and their dirty little secrets, but I’m of the opinion those are handled individually, handled behind closed doors,” Locksley said.
March 25: Pitino goes to Xavier
Xavier — not Villanova — hired Pitino, leaving Willard as Villanova’s only reported top target remaining.
March 26: Willard dodges questions, rumors at all-time high
A day before Maryland’s Sweet 16 matchup with top-seeded Florida, Willard changed his tune after a week of candid press conferences.
When asked about Locksley’s comments and why Willard chose to advocate for his program publicly, Willard instead opted to talk about Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. and his off-the-dribble shooting abilities. And when asked about Ullman, Willard responded that Florida was a big-time matchup before talking about how he was enjoying San Francisco and that he had a great time at dinner on Wednesday.
The lack of commitment or reassurance was startling to many, and the chatter about Willard leaving College Park for Villanova reached an all-time high.
