Villanova Coaching Search: Willard Staying at Maryland?

Even without much public movement on the Villanova Wildcats’ search for a head coach to replace Kyle Neptune, plenty of intrigue continues behind the scenes. In the latest development, Maryland head coach Kevin Willard missed a scheduled podcast appearance on “The Sports Junkies,” an offshoot of 106.7 The Fan (FM)/Team 980 (AM) devoted to coverage of D.C. area sports teams, both collegiate and professional.

Expected to go on air at 9:40 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 25, Willard didn’t show up for the spot, causing an initial surge of speculation for his reasoning. Maryland’s Sweet Sixteen matchup with No. 1 seed Florida will take place at the Bay Area’s Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, and with the Terrapins already preparing for that game on-location, some noted that 6:40 a.m. Pacific Time is quite early in the morning for a public appearance. Others took it as further evidence that Willard has a foot out the door, ready to join Villanova the second Maryland’s season ends.

That’s where we are in the coaching search, which continues at a snail’s pace. Putting a missed appointment under the microscope.

It ended up a non-story as Willard made an appearance on the DC and Terrapins-centered “The Kevin Sheehan Show,” soon thereafter, going on air at 11:25 EDT. He also reaffirmed his commitment to Maryland, saying the following.

Kevin Willard Speaks Out

“Over the last week, I know I’ve said some things that have raised people’s eyes, but Maryland’s been great, we’re in perfect shape. I missed a radio show today and everybody thinks [I’m leaving town],  I missed a radio show today because I overslept. I’m on west coast time now,” Willard said.

“Everything that my concerns have been about the job, and that was my whole point in my press conference — maybe my [New] Jersey came out of me not in the greatest way — was I want to make this program the best, and I think when you have an opportunity to do it, you have to take advantage of that opportunity, Kevin. Obviously losing the athletic director has been a little… hard to be honest with you… but I’ve been working with [University President] Brian Ullmann and everyone in the athletic department and they’ve been great and they understood my concerns and what I want.”

However, Willard very much left the door open. “As of right now I’m staying.” Queue the rumor mill to continue.

Click here for Willard’s full spot, with his contract talks beginning around the 16:50 mark.

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