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Kevin Willard deflects question about Maryland NIL resources, shifts focus to defending Walter Clayton Jr.

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•03/26/25•

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Maryland HC Kevin Willard during a press conference
© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Last week, Kevin Willard gave a candid response about the NIL support and resources at Maryland. Terrapins football coach Mike Locksley then received a question about Willard’s comments and struck a different tone, saying “family” issues should be handled “behind closed doors.”

Speaking with reporters again Wednesday ahead of the Sweet Sixteen, Willard was asked why he was so candid with his remarks and Locksley’s response. He then shifted focus to how Maryland will handle Florida in Thursday’s game.

Willard specifically noted the need for Maryland to defend Walter Clayton Jr. In addition, he noted the Terps need to rebound well as he successfully changed the subject.

“I’ll be honest, I think our biggest thing is we’ve got to stop Clayton,” Willard said. “He’s really good. He shoots the basketball going left 48%. He shoots it right going at, like, 38%. So really, the last couple of days trying to come up with a game plan to stop Clayton because I think he’s one of the best guards in the country that we’ve seen.

“And then really, obviously, trying to fix our rebounding woes have been at the top of my mind, too. It’s a big problem.”

Kevin Willard’s comments came amid AD change

Kevin Willard’s initial comments came during a press conference in the earlier rounds of the NCAA Tournament. At the time, Maryland was getting ready for an athletics director change as Damon Evans emerged as a top target for the same job at SMU. The Mustangs since announced Evans’ hiring.

Willard’s name has also been a hot one in the coaching carousel, notably for the position at Villanova. He confirmed he received a term sheet from Maryland before Selection Sunday as part of new contract talks and that he discussed it with his players.

As he looks ahead to the future in College Park, Willard said conversations took place about NIL and revenue-sharing resources with Evans as the House v. NCAA settlement looms. It was part of his plan to ensure Maryland will continue to be a “top-tier program.”

“I’ve addressed it with [the team] directly,” Willard said. “I’ll say this: Damon and I talked on Sunday night right before Selection Sunday. He gave me a term sheet right before Selection Sunday. I really wasn’t focused on it. Been focused on this team and this. Damon’s talked to my agent. I talked to Damon this morning at length about where we are. Obviously it’s difficult right now because I think we know his situation. He’s probably going to SMU, so it’s kind of tough to negotiate with somebody that’s maybe not here. But I need to make fundamental changes to the program. That’s what I’m focused on right now.

“That’s why probably a deal hasn’t got done because I want to see – I need to see fundamental changes done. I want this program to be great. I want it to be the best in the country, I want to win a national championship, but there’s things that need to change. When you’re at a place for three years and you put your heart and soul into it, you kind of sit there and say okay, wait a second for us to be really successful X, Y and Z needs to change and first and foremost, I need to make sure that we are where we are with NIL and rev share is not where we’ve been with NIL over the past two he years. We’ve been one of the worse, if not lowest, in the NIL in the last two years. So that’s first and foremost.”

Mike Locksley: ‘I’ve gotten the resources that I’ve needed to build a foundation’

After Kevin Willard’s candid comments made their way around social media, Mike Locksley was asked about them. Maryland is currently getting ready to start spring practice ahead of the 2025 season.

Locksley indicated he would have preferred those conversations to stay in private. However, he also praised the support the football program received.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve gotten the resources that I’ve needed to build a foundation,” Locksley said, via the Baltimore Sun. “Every family has its issues and dirty little secrets, but I believe those should be handled individually — behind closed doors, within the family.”