Willard has been connected to the Villanova coaching search for weeks so this doesn't come as much of a surprise. The 49-year-old just finished his best season at Maryland, in which the Terrapins went 27-9 and reached the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA tournament. That followed his first two seasons, which would generously be deemed up and down.

Former Maryland men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard says “it’s time for everyone to move on” after him leaving for Villanova angered fans.

Kevin Willard is leaving his position as Maryland men’s basketball coach after three seasons to take the same job at Villanova, the schools announced Sunday, ending a saga that started just before the Terrapins began play in the NCAA tournament this month and stretched through their exit in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night.