Kevin Willard: A year of firsts in College Park

On March 21, 2022, Maryland men’s basketball hired former Seton Hall and Iona head coach Kevin Willard. In his first season, Willard led the Terps to many notable firsts. 

Willard’s inaugural season ended on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament — the program’s third-straight tournament appearance that ended in the Round of 32. But Maryland basketball fans should move forward into next season with optimism and a great deal of confidence.

“I feel like this year was a stepping stone for me and the organization overall,” sophomore forward Julian Reese said. “A lot of new guys. The new staff coming in and it’s a good building block to build. Just grateful to have a group like this to start off with and be a part of.”

Willard inherited a coaching job with many questions presented in front of him when he arrived in College Park. Maryland had its worst season in nearly 30 years the year prior. The Terps finished the 2021-22 season with a 15-17 record and head coach Mark Turgeon was fired just eight games into his 11th season. 

With questions about the roster and Willard’s ability to adapt to the Big Ten, Maryland was predicted to finish 10th in the conference’s preseason media poll. Despite all the concerns, the Terps finished fifth. 

Willard became the first coach in Maryland history to lead his squad to the NCAA Tournament in his first season at the helm. 

In the dance, Maryland defeated No. 9-seed West Virginia in the first round but fell short a few days later in the Round of 32 against the No. 1-overall seed in the tournament in Alabama.

“We’re in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in 363 days,” Willard said. “We have a lot more steps that we need to take as a program, and we will get there. But like I said, if you had told me I would be playing in the second round inheriting five guys on the roster, I would have told you you’re nuts.”

Willard had another first — becoming the only coach in program history to reach 20 wins in their first year.

Gary Williams was the only other head coach to come close, winning 19 games during the 1989-90 season. Willard and the Terps picked up their 20th win of the season against No. 21 Northwestern Feb. 26 before finishing the year with two more wins. 

The firsts didn’t end there, as Willard was also the first Maryland coach to be nationally ranked in their first season. The Terps made their debut at No. 23 in late November after beginning the season 5-0 and capturing the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Championship.

Two weeks later, Maryland extended its winning streak to eight games and checked in at No. 13 in the AP poll — its highest ranking of the season. During the win streak, Willard became the first Maryland coach to start his first season 8-0. 

The Terps picked up wins over Miami and Illinois during the win streak — both NCAA Tournament teams. Miami received a bid to March Madness as a No. 5-seed while Illinois appeared as a No. 9-seed.

Willard achieved unprecedented success to begin his first year at the helm for the Terps. Willard and the Terps were so dominant in the early portion of the season, he became the first coach in Big Ten history to win his first seven games by at least 15 points. 

Willard shattered that mark by winning his first seven games by an average margin of nearly 22 points. 

Performing above expectations is nothing new to Willard. He turned around Iona’s and Seton Hall’s basketball programs in the past; the Pirates became a consistent top 25 program under Willard.

Willard reached new heights as a first year head coach at Maryland. He brought with him grit, determination and most importantly, a sense of tradition. It was a first season that even Willard himself will never forget.

“I’m going to take away that this was by far the best team that I’ve ever had to coach,” Willard said. “Again, moving your family — your family going through stuff is unbelievably hard. Leaving a place that you loved and you helped build. This team for me made coaching really fun, and I enjoy this.”