New Villanova basketball coach Kevin Willard had a rough exit from Maryland, as it became apparent to many before the Terrapins were eliminated in the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament that he would be leaving the program.

One of the deciders in the process was none other than Jay Wright, Willard’s former adversary over a decade coaching at Seton Hall. After formal conversations with university President Rev. Peter Donohue and athletic director Eric Roedl, Willard fired up the old Big East phone tree Saturday night.

SAN ANTONIO -- Before taking the Villanova job this past weekend, Kevin Willard had a phone conversation with Jay Wright from the back of Willard’s deck.