Maryland Fans Unleash ‘Hate Fest’ at Former Coach Kevin Willard’s Return
WASHINGTON — A palpable wave of animosity greeted former Maryland men’s basketball coach Kevin Willard during Villanova’s game against Georgetown at Capital One Arena on Saturday. Maryland fans, motivated by a sense of betrayal following Willard’s departure for Villanova, traveled to the game specifically to voice their displeasure.
“It’s a hate fest for our former head coach, Kevin Willard, who left us with nothing,” Maryland fan Brandon Crawford admitted, encapsulating the sentiment of many who made the trip.
Willard officially left Maryland on March 30, ending his three-year tenure in College Park. His return to the DMV area with Villanova marked the first public opportunity for Maryland fans to directly express their feelings.
The reaction was not lost on Willard, who responded with a blunt assessment after the game. “They wasted a Saturday. I don’t know what the f*** they were doing,” he said. “They got nothing better to do on a Saturday than come look at my bald a**, I don’t know what they’re doing.”
The anger stems from the manner of Willard’s departure, particularly after he assembled one of Maryland’s most promising teams in recent history. Led by Derik Queen, the Terps entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed – their highest ranking since 2015.
Prior to the tournament, Willard declined a contract extension, fueling speculation about his potential move to Villanova, a program with a storied history and two national championships in the last decade. Reports indicated Willard had declined a contract extension and criticized the program’s commitment to revenue sharing and NIL money. His statements, including a claim he was staying “as of right now” just days before leaving, did little to inspire confidence.
“The biggest storyline in college basketball wasn’t Derik Queen making the incredible shot, the Crab Five,” Maryland fan Brendan Sachs said. “It was about Kevin Willard, whether he would stay or go throughout the tournament.”
Maryland ultimately fell to Florida in the Sweet 16, and just 51 hours later, Willard was gone. The exodus didn’t stop with the coach; within weeks, every player and staff member also departed Maryland.
Fans characterized Willard’s exit as a betrayal. While some Maryland supporters at Capital One Arena expressed optimism about the future under new head coach Buzz Williams, the lingering feeling was that Willard had harmed the program’s trajectory.
“He’s a snake. He lied,” said Jeremy Jablonover, another Maryland fan. “It’s fine if he goes to Villanova, it’s a great job, it’s a great program. But the way he did it, he made it about himself.”
The orchestrated display of disapproval was organized through social media. A Reddit community encouraged fans to “invade Capital One Arena,” while a group on X coordinated the purchase of seats directly behind Villanova’s bench.
Not all Maryland fans were aware of the organized effort, but many simply showed up to demonstrate their solidarity. “We don’t have a bloodlust,” said Matt Spear. “We’re just out here now, it’s in good fun.”
While Willard was the primary target of the fans’ ire, former Maryland players Braden Pierce and Malachi Palmer, now playing for Villanova, also appeared in the game. However, the majority of the boos and jeers were directed at their former coach.
“Kevin Willard is a bad guy, we’re here to remind him of that,” Jablonover stated.
Some fans hurled expletives, while others resorted to creative taunts, such as commenting on Willard’s gum chewing habit. Despite the vocal opposition, Villanova ultimately defeated Georgetown 80-73.
Despite the cost – some fans reportedly paid up to $100 for tickets – those who attended felt the experience was worthwhile. “I just love college basketball, and I like supporting my team,” said John Mirarchi. “And sometimes that means letting other people know they hurt us.”
