Villanova coach draws attention after ‘joke’ that he would ‘fire my staff’ during March Madness loss
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Villanova head coach Kevin Willard was not happy during his team’s loss in March Madness.
The eighth-seeded Wildcats fell to No. 9 Utah State in the first round on Friday, and Willard mentioned making changes to his staff not once, but twice because of his team’s performance.
During the game, Willard was interviewed by TNT’s Lauren Shehadi about keeping Utah State out of the paint after it dominated the interior early.
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Villanova Wildcats head coach Kevin Willard reacts in the first half against the Utah State Aggies during a first round game of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament at Viejas Arena. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
“I’m laying off my staff,” Willard said.
Shehadi replied: “Not now.”
“Yes, I am,” Willard added.
“Because we’ve given up eight points on inferior defense, out of bounds. So all I’m going to do is fire them and get a new staff.”
“Okay, do it now,” Shehadi replied.
After the 86-76 loss, Willard doubled down in his press conference.
“We gave up three big guys late. I’m probably going to have to make some changes to my staff just because of how bad we were,” he said.
Villanova Wildcats head coach Kevin Willard speaks before the first round of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament at Viejas Arena. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
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Another reporter then began to ask Willard about the comments, but the coach wouldn’t let him finish.
“It’s a joke. God bless him,” Willard said.
The journalist then mentioned that Willard was being criticized online.
“I don’t care,” he replied. “Welcome to my life. Just kidding.”
Many on social media were unhappy with the way Willard handled his “prank.”
“The guy says something that doesn’t seem like a joke at all. Then he gets upset when people ask him about it. Good luck with him, Nova,” said one X user.
“Kevin Willard says firing his staff was ‘a joke’ after saying it twice and sounding very serious. Classic swerve no apology, zero accountability, just ‘psychiatric haha’ after embarrassing his team and staff on national TV,” wrote one more.
Willard joined Villanova this season after spending the previous three at Maryland. In his final season with the Terrapins, he advanced to the Sweet 16.
Villanova Wildcats head coach Kevin Willard reacts during the first half against the Butler Bulldogs at William B. Finneran Pavilion. (Bill Streicher/Image Images)
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This season marked Willard’s eighth time in the NCAA Tournament. He never made the Elite Eight.
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