Report: Kevin Willard salary, contract with Maryland revealed

Maryland is beginning a new era with Kevin Willard at the helm. The Terrapins are making a commitment to the former Seton Hall leader, and the financial numbers are proof of that.

According to Andy Katz, Willard is receiving a sizable contract from the Terrapins.

“Official @TerrapinHoops contract numbers for new coach Kevin Willard: 7-year contract starting at $3.9M in 2022-23 with a $100,000 escalator each season. $4.2 avg. per year,” tweeted Katz.

Evidently, Maryland believes Willard can get them back to prominence. If his hiring wasn’t enough of an example, his financial compensation is.

Moreover, Willard has built Seton Hall back into one of the most feared programs in the Big East. After an uneven start to his tenure, the Pirates have made five of the last six NCAA Tournaments. Additionally, Willard led Seton Hall to a Big East Tournament title in 2015-16. In 12 seasons at the helm of the Pirates, Willard accumulated a 225-161 record, while going 105-113 against the Big East.

With multiple programs looking for a new head coach, Willard’s name has been floated around the nation. His work with Seton Hall has been revered, as well as his impressive three seasons at Iona in the years prior. Now, Maryland has their guy.

More on Kevin Willard, Maryland Terrapins

Continuing, Kevin Willard is joining a program that preaches patience and gives you time to find success. To illustrate, the Terrapins have only had two coaches in that last thirty years — Gary Williams and Mark Turgeon.

First, Williams coached Maryland for 22 successful seasons. The top moment — none other than Maryland capturing the 2002 NCAA Tournament title. Over the course of his career, Williams led the Terrapins on 15 trips to the dance.

Next, Turgeon took over for the legend in Williams, taking the torch in 2011. His Maryland teams were tough, and always a threat — but they didn’t have the same success in the NCAA Tournament. Turgeon accumulated a 226-116 record with the Terrapins, but his teams never made it out of the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

Now, Willard hopes to provide the same success to Maryland as his predecessors. The new leader of the Terrapins spoke about excited he is to get to work for the Terrapins.

“Growing up and coaching in the region, I have always admired Maryland basketball. Being named head coach of one of the nation’s premier basketball programs is a tremendous honor,” said Willard, via the team’s website. “Thank you to President Pines and Damon Evans for trusting me to energize this proud program as we look to galvanize our passionate fanbase with a gritty, hard-working style of basketball. Having coached against Maryland several times and at XFINITY Center, I know how Terp fans feel about this team. I embrace the high expectations. Skill development and a dedication to academic success will be cornerstones of our program and I can promise Terp Nation we will work to make them proud of this basketball team as we build winners on the court and in the classroom. Julie and our boys are excited to join the Terrapin family.”

There’s an opportunity to build something special at Maryland, and Kevin Willard will be looking to do that immediately.