© Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
The Maryland basketball team will not be led by head coach Kevin Willard next season. A few days after the Terrapins’ NCAA Tournament run came to an end, news of his move to Villanova went public.
Willard was officially announced as the Wildcats new leader on Sunday. It put an end to the wild speculation that’s surrounded the Terps this postseason.
Willard voiced his frustration during the team’s March Madness run, calling out the athletic director for a lack of investment in the basketball program. He laid out a list of demands that needed to be met in order for him to stay.
Throughout this process, he claimed not to have spoken to other programs. He told players that he’d planned to return for the 2025-26 season. Maryland administration reportedly fulfilled his wishes with a raise and increase in NIL resources.
Sources close to the situation told IMS that Maryland’s administration offered Willard roughly $6 million of the $20.5 million in revenue-sharing to pay layers next season, believed to be the highest number in the Big Ten. That casts doubt on his claims that he would sign a new deal if Maryland provided what he painted as relatively minor requests
Still, Kevin Willard opted to leave. That announcement was made in the wee hours Sunday morning. The coach was expected to meet with his team later that day.
That meeting came via a Zoom call rather than face-to-face. Players quickly began posting their responses to the saga on social media. Braden Pierce’s reply was particularly cryptic.
Braden Pierce via Instagram
Pierce is a seven-foot freshman that averaged 2.4 points in five appearances. He redshirted last season after signing with Kevin Willard in the 2023 class.
Now, the coach he chose to play for is off to another program. Pierce’s message spoke on protection from “emotional sabotage.” It hinted at stability amid a time of uncertainty. Maybe it was simply a Sunday sermon message for his following. Maybe not!
Pierce wasn’t the only player to respond to the news of the head coach’s departure online. Star teammate Derik Queen posted a series of photos from the season on his Instagram, one of which he reposted to his story showing Willard giving him a hug. Jahari Long shared a similar outlook on the split.
Jahari Long via Instagram
There seem to be mixed emotions from Maryland basketball players following Kevin Willard’s departure. Some are appreciative of his time with the program, though it’s worth noting that Queen and Long are both likely moving on from the program after this year, too.
Meanwhile, some appear shaken by the news. The Terrapins will now look for a replacement while doing their best to keep the roster intact.