It wasn’t too long ago that Kevin Willard reassured Nova Nation that he would not be changing the Villanova culture and attitude. Those remarks are now taking shape.
Villanova basketball is beginning to reshape a new era under head coach Kevin Willard. After the incredible Jay Wright era, Nova hoops found itself in a broad category of borderline bluebloods. That stigma has since worn off. Villanova is no longer consistently doing damage in March Madness. In fact, the Wildcats have failed to make the Tournament in three straight seasons. The once-winning “attitude” has become a norm of mediocrity.
Under former head coach Kyle Neptune, the ‘Cats tallied a 54-47 record through three seasons. This came following a Final Four appearance in the year prior to Neptune’s beginning. The Wildcats ushered in a new age, one filled with much optimism and uncertainty that led to an abrupt ending to Neptune’s tenure.
Villanova has evidently taken a step back and re-immersed itself as a mid-level program in the Big East. However, this past season has brought about a much-needed change that contains hope for the future. Kevin Willard’s past success at Seton Hall and Maryland has caused some to think that Villanova may be a dark horse contender in the Big East. Ultimately, it's the reshaped “attitude” that is seeking to bring a new spark back to Nova Nation.
For years, Villanova's philosophy was quite simple. Jay Wright emanated a culture whereby Villanova had no need to resort to 5-star recruits. It was always about what transpired in the shadows. Local two—and three-star athletes were the norm for Villanova recruiting. The developmental stage was the most prominent aspect of Wildcat’s master plan. Everything revolved around the system.
Learn the system, play the system, be the system.
Wright’s mindset worked with much efficiency. Players used all their eligibility at Villanova and then provided the leadership needed to pass the torch to incoming recruits. That protocol eventually became outdated. With the advancement of NIL and the newer landscape of college athletics, Villanova was forced to adapt. So, Kyle Neptune did what the rest did—fire away at big guns.
From the mid-level guys to the cream of the crop, Villanova took a 360 turn. The Wildcats’ recruiting profile took an unforeseen approach. Villanova began to hope for the best. Attempting to land the best recruits in the nation, regardless of age or years of potential development. Maybe, just maybe, this new philosophy brought about subpar play and newfound struggles for Villanova.
The first change was made months ago when Villanova hired Eric Roedl as the school’s new athletic director. As a Villanova alum and former deputy athletic director at the University of Oregon, it was presumed that Roedl saw a new vision for the Wildcats. In the weeks following, Villanova once again failed to reach the Tournament and concluded another disappointing season in the Crown Tournament.
Kyle Neptune was dismissed from his duties shortly before the Wildcats’ season finale in Las Vegas, and soon after, the news dropped. Kevin Willard would be returning to the Big East. This time, on the same bench that Jay Wright once coached on.
There would never be any impact even in the vicinity of what Jay Wright did. Unfortunately, the “attitude” was forced to adapt under Kyle Neptune. But Willard is determined to rekindle that spark and ignite a refined version of Villanova basketball under his leadership, and the past leadership of Jay Wright—who laid the foundation.
“I’m not here to change the culture,” Willard said in his opening presser. “I’m not here to change the attitude. I’m not here to change anything besides the way we play. I just want to play winning basketball, and that’s all I’m really focused on.”
Thus far, Willard has reassembled a modified approach to how Villanova goes about recruiting and acquiring talent. Willard has sought out kids having at least two years of remaining eligibility while also being open to further development and down-the-line leadership. Going back to the Jay Wright mindset, Willard desires kids to develop and play his system even in the new era of NIL.
In the opening stage of his Villanova tenure, Willard has made subtle moves to shape a new, bigger, and brighter future. He has won the commitment of 4-stars Acaden Lewis (formerly committed to Kentucky) and Chris Jeffery (formerly committed to Maryland). While also doing some work in the transfer portal, acquiring seven recruits, none of whom are rated above three stars.
In the past this formula worked. It worked so well that it brought about championships in both 2016 and 2018. Now, Villanova finds itself in a pivotal position trying to navigate the new NIL era with a new coach. However, the “attitude” is clear, walk in the footsteps of Jay Wright, and let the success follow.