Kevin Willard says viral sideline interview was 'a joke' after Villanova's NCAA Tournament loss

Jeff Neiburg, The Philadelphia Inquirer on Mar 20, 2026

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SAN DIEGO — Kevin Willard going viral in the NCAA Tournament, a March tradition unlike any other. Or something like that.

In a sideline interview with TNT’s Lauren Shehadi early in the first half of Villanova’s 86-76 first-round loss to Utah State, Willard joked that he was going to fire his staff after the Aggies executed multiple baseline-out-of-bounds plays for easy baskets while grabbing a nine-point lead in the first half.

Willard was asked about the comment after the game and was visibly frustrated by the question, cutting off the question-asker by saying: “It’s a joke.”

A reporter mentioned to Willard that he was going viral.

“I don’t care,” Willard said. “Welcome to my life. It’s a joke.”

Willard, of course, had a very public exit from Maryland during the NCAA Tournament last season. He was open during interviews during the tournament run about wanting more resources from the Maryland administration before eventually departing from that school for the Villanova job after Maryland was eliminated in the Sweet 16.

His comments after a blowout loss to St. John’s on Feb. 28 also went viral. That night, after St. John’s won, 89-57, Willard was asked what it was like being on Rick Pitino’s coaching staff after a loss.

“It’s the most miserable experience in life,” Willard said. “And as he’s gotten older, he’s probably become more of a cranky old b—.”

Another joke that was seemingly taken out of context like Friday’s.

Willard’s first season at Villanova ended Friday at Viejas Arena after the Wildcats were outscored 15-3 over the final six minutes. Villanova finished the season with a 24-9 record.