Kevin Willard has to face national championship expectations that Villanova fans still have four years after coach Jay Wright retired following his fourth Final Four appearance.
Wright’s immediate successor, Kyle Neptune, learned from Wright but was unable to match the wins, championships, and fundraising of his predecessor, writes Dan Gelston for The Canadian Press.
“It’s a monster job replacing Jay Wright,” said Willard, who replaced Neptune.
Neptune was fired after failing to bring the Wildcats to an NCAA Tournament after three seasons.
Willard was brought in from a Sweet 16 and a breakup with Maryland to stabilize the program.
He led Maryland to two March Madness appearances in three seasons. He’s gotten his teams to the NCAA Tournament seven times.
There is now hope that the Wildcats can be turned into Big East contenders under Willard, who debuted on the bench Oct. 27
“No pressure,” Villanova president the Rev. Peter Donohue said when Willard was hired, “but we expect great things in the season to come.”
Willard emphasizes he’s not going to tear down what Wright built.
“Do we need to kind of fix some things that went a little bit sideways? Yeah, that’s why I’m here.”
Read more about Kevin Willard and the Wildcats at Yahoo Sports.
