Who me? Willard downplays criticism by unhappy Maryland as he takes Villanova job

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kevin Willard deadpanned that — no, he hadn’t heard the laundry list of complaints lodged against him by Maryland fans and former players and, well, the list goes on — that he threw his program under the bus and then happily got behind the wheel to steamroll over their carcass all while the Terrapins made a run to the Sweet 16.

But yes, Willard confessed, he was generally aware of the consensus sentiment that he used Maryland as just a pawn to get whatever it was he wanted at a traditional power such as Villanova.

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So perhaps Willard knew Maryland alumnus and ESPN star Scott Van Pelt went scorched earth on him and said, among many criticisms levied, “you don’t do damage to the university and program where you’ve been for three years.” So perhaps Willard heard Jimmy’s Famous Seafood — the self-proclaimed home of “ the world’s greatest crabcakes!” — stuck snakehead bites on the menu in honor (honor?) of the former Maryland coach with all proceeds donated to Maryland’s name, likeness and image efforts. Or that all-time Terrapins great Len Elmore said he was weary of ”mercenary coaches” who played the school like fiddles.

Yeah, it’s a long list of unhappy Terrapins.

And the damage done was … nothing.

Willard landed at a Villanova program — that while foundered for three seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance under former coach Kyle Neptune — still has elite status within reach with deep NIL coffers and a whopping payout ahead courtesy of the proposed upcoming House settlement. Maryland forged ahead by plucking Buzz Williams away from Texas A&M. He has also coached at Virginia Tech, Marquette and New Orleans. One could argue another mercenary coach in it for the payday.

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Williams bounced on to a new gig. Just like Willard. Just like so many successful coaches in March — consider, there are two of four coaches already who won a game in the tournament — and have moved on to a new, presumably better job…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/willard-downplays-criticism-unhappy-maryland-234634294.html

Author : DAN GELSTON

Publish date : 2025-04-02 23:46:00

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