Maryland hiring Seton Hall's Kevin Willard

Maryland hired Seton Hall bench boss Kevin Willard as its next head coach, Terrapins athletic director Damon Evans announced Monday.

Willard spent the past 12 seasons with the Pirates, posting a 225-161 record. Seton Hall made five appearances in the Big Dance and captured a Big East Tournament title during that span.

The Pirates' 2021-22 campaign ended Friday with a 69-42 loss to TCU in the NCAA Tournament's Round of 64.

"Growing up and coaching in the region, I have always admired Maryland basketball. Being named head coach of one of the nation's premier basketball programs is a tremendous honor," Willard said.

The 46-year-old was the Big East's co-Coach of the Year in 2016. Before joining Seton Hall, Willard was a longtime assistant for Hall of Famer Rick Pitino at the NBA and collegiate levels.

He took his first head coaching gig at Iona in 2007, going 45-49 and winning MAAC Coach of the Year honors during his three-year tenure.

Willard takes over for longtime Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon, who resigned last December after 11 years at the helm.

The Terrapins failed to make this year's NCAA tourney after posting their first sub-.500 season since 1993.