Josh Hart, the former standout from Villanova and current player for the New York Knicks, has expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment of Kevin Willard as the new head coach for Villanova’s men’s basketball team, even amid the disappointment of University of Maryland supporters who lament his departure after three seasons.
Following the Knicks’ victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on a Tuesday evening, Hart shared his optimism about Willard’s recruitment, believing it will inject fresh energy into the Villanova program.
“The evening that Kevin was chosen, I had conversations with him, the athletic director, Villanova general manager Baker Dunleavy, and others,” Hart explained. “I regularly connect with folks at Villanova, staying in touch constantly throughout this whole process, and I’m really excited about this news.”
“Kevin was coaching at Seton Hall during my time as a player, and I’ve always respected him… Competing against him was tough because his teams were strong and physical. I’m thrilled that he’s bringing that intensity back to Nova. All of us at Nova Nation should feel excited about having him lead,” Hart added.
See Hart’s response here:
Josh Hart is “super-excited” about Kevin Willard becoming the new head coach at Villanova:
“I hated playing against him because he was a tough competitor, had a strong team, a physical team. He’s going to restore that at Nova.” pic.twitter.com/6k41yl38cA
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 2, 2025
Maryland’s team had its most successful postseason since 2016 under Willard’s leadership, though he had been linked to the Villanova vacancy for some time. Despite the rumors, Maryland advanced to the Sweet 16, eventually losing to the top-seeded Florida.
At Villanova, Willard is expected to achieve similar postseason success, something his predecessor Kyle Neptune struggled with during his tenure. Fortunately for Villanova supporters, Hart, who has firsthand experience with national championships, is confident in Willard’s capabilities.
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