Kevin Willard is an American college basketball coach currently serving as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Maryland. Born on April 6, 1975, in Huntington, New York, he began his collegiate playing career at Western Kentucky before transferring to the University of Pittsburgh, where he played point guard from 1994 to 1997.
Willard’s coaching career commenced as an assistant with the Boston Celtics under Rick Pitino. He later followed Pitino to the University of Louisville, spending six seasons as an assistant coach. In 2007, Willard became the head coach at Iona College, where he led the Gaels to significant improvements, including a Top 80 RPI ranking by his third season.
He accepted the head coaching position at Seton Hall University in 2010, guiding the Pirates to the 2016 Big East championship and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
In March 2022, Willard took over as the head coach at Maryland. In his first season, he led the Terrapins to an NCAA Tournament bid, securing a victory against West Virginia before falling to Alabama.
Currently, Willard is navigating a period of uncertainty. Reports suggest that Maryland’s athletic director, Damon Evans, is likely to accept a position at Southern Methodist University. Willard has expressed concerns about the program’s resources, particularly regarding NIL funding and revenue sharing, which he feels are essential for the team’s competitiveness. These issues have contributed to delays in finalizing his contract extension with Maryland.
Additionally, Willard’s name has surfaced in connection with the head coaching vacancy at Villanova University. While he has not confirmed any discussions, his recent comments about the need for changes at Maryland have fueled speculation about his future with the Terrapins.
As of March 21, 2025, Willard continues to lead Maryland through the NCAA Tournament, with the team’s performance influencing both his professional trajectory and the broader dynamics within the program.