Kevin Willard, Villanova rumors: Stan Van Gundy, Dan Bonner take strong stance on future at Maryland

Thursday night, Maryland saw its season come to an end. The Terrapins fell to Florida in the Sweet 16 – meaning all eyes turned toward Kevin Willard’s future.

Willard’s name has been a hot one in the coaching carousel, with his name notably coming up in connection with the Villanova opening. He also made headlines when he spoke out about the resources he has at Maryland, especially as the school was preparing to lose its athletics director and while in contract talks with UMD.

Now, the question is whether Willard will stay in College Park or leave for a new job. To TBS’ Dan Bonner and Stan Van Gundy, there are a couple directions things could go.

Dan Bonner: "Is he just doing what college basketball coaches are going to have to do… Is he trying to make sure that [Maryland] gets the resources that it needs…"

SVG: "If I'm Maryland, I'm going to do what it takes to keep Kevin Willard… Step up & do what it takes…" pic.twitter.com/7iGZWCOOqI

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 28, 2025

“Is he just doing what college basketball coaches are going to have to do, and that is, is he trying to make sure that his basketball team gets the resources that it needs when you’re in a league like the Big Ten?” Bonner said as time ticked away on Thursday’s game. “It’s a football league.

“Everybody’s saying, well, most of the resources are going to football. But the basketball teams need some resources, too.”

Stan Van Gundy: Maryland should ‘do what it takes to keep Kevin Wilalrd’

To Van Gundy, though, Maryland should prioritize keeping Willard. The Terrapins were a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament this year and made the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2016. This season was Willard’s third as head coach. That’s why Van Gundy called on the school to “step up” and not let him leave.

“Look, if I’m Maryland, I’m going to do what it takes to keep Kevin Willard,” Van Gundy said. “He’s an outstanding coach, he knows what it takes to win. He’s done a great job with your program. Step up and do what it takes to keep the guy. Don’t let him get away to somebody else.”

Willard has now taken Maryland to two NCAA Tournaments in three seasons as the Terps’ head coach. His record is now 65-39 overall, and he also has a 32-28 mark in Big Ten play.

Willard’s track record of success also goes to his previous stop at Seton Hall, where he was a Big East Co-Coach of the Year and took the Pirates to five NCAA Tournaments, and likely would have been to six counting the 2020 tournament canceled due to COVID-19. He was also the 2010 MAAC Coach of the Year while at Iona.