After Mark Turgeon’s sudden departure and months of speculation, Maryland men’s basketball finally has its new coach in Kevin Willard, who agreed to a seven-year contract worth $29 million with an annual salary of $3.9 million.
Willard, who coached at Seton Hall for 12 seasons, will be the Terps’ third coach in the past 33 years. The 46-year-old inherits a team that completed its first losing season since 1993.
According to a copy of the contract obtained by The Baltimore Sun through a public records request, Willard will receive an annual base salary of $500,000 and $3.4 million in annual supplemental income.
Willard will receive an $100,00 increase annually to supplemental income between Year 2 and Year 7, resulting in $4 million in supplemental income by Year 7. Willard’s contract will expire on March 31, 2029.
In April 2021, Turgeon signed a $17 million contract extension before accepting a $5 million buyout in December. Turgeon’s annual base salary was higher than Willard’s, as he was expected to make $750,000. However, Turgeon’s annual supplemental income was $2.57 million during the first contract year with a $100,000 increase each year until the deal expired in 2026.
Willard’s salary of $3.9 million in Year 1 ranks near the top of the Big Ten Conference and close to the top 10 nationally, according to a USA Today database. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo earned $7.9 million this season, ranking first in the league and third in the nation. Michigan’s Juwan Howard, Illinois’ Brad Underwood and Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg each earned $3.5 million, which ranks roughly 20th nationally. Meanwhile, Purdue’s Matt Painter totaled $3.2 million, Indiana’s Mike Woodson was listed at $3.1 million, Iowa’s Fran McCaffery earned $3 million and Wisconsin’s Greg Gard received $2.8 million.
The Sun also obtained the contracts for assistant coaches Tony Skinn, Grant Billmeier and David Cox. Skinn, who served as an assistant at Ohio State this past year after spending three seasons working under Willard at Seton Hall, agreed to a one-year deal worth $475,000. Billmeier, who spent 11 seasons under Willard at Seton Hall, agreed to a one-year deal worth $275,000. Cox, who served as head coach at Rhode Island the past four seasons, agreed to a one-year deal worth $400,000. Each assistant can also earn up to $70,000 in incentives.
Incentives
Willard can earn up to $695,000 in performance incentives. Those benchmarks are:
- Big Ten regular-season champion: $75,000 (outright) or $50,000 (tie)
- Big Ten Tournament champion: $75,000
- NCAA Tournament bid: $25,000
- Round of 32 of NCAA Tournament appearance: $30,000
- NCAA Tournament, maximum attainable: $400,000
- Sweet Sixteen appearance: $75,000
- Elite Eight appearance: $150,000
- Final Four appearance: $200,000
- National championship appearance: $250,000
- National champion: $400,000
- Big Ten Coach of the Year, as voted by coaches or media: $40,000
- National Coach of the Year, as voted by sportswriters, AP, USA Today or Naismith: $50,000.
Buyout
If Maryland terminates Willard’s contract without cause, the school will continue to pay him 90% of the remaining annual guaranteed compensation.
- 2023: $22.95 million
- 2024: $19.35 million
- 2025: $15.66 million
- 2026: $11.88 million
- 2027: $8.01 million
- 2028: $4.05 million
If Willard decides to terminate his contract, he will be responsible to pay the following:
- March 20, 2022-March 31, 2023: $4.5 million
- April 1, 2023-March 31, 2024: $2 million
- April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025: $2 million
- April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026: $1.5 million
- April 1, 2026-March 31, 2027: $1.5 million
- April 1, 2027-March 31, 2028: $1 million
- April 1, 2028-March 31, 2029: No buyout
Miscellaneous
Willard will receive a monthly car ($2,450) and cell phone allowance ($120) and is eligible to receive complimentary tickets and suites at Maryland football and basketball games.
Maryland agreed that Willard’s family (spouse and children under 18) are authorized to travel to Thanksgiving tournaments, the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament as part of the school’s official travel party.
Willard’s reimbursement for moving expenses is up to $40,000 and up to six months of temporary lodging or until he secures a permanent residence.
Maryland will also provide Willard with a private aircraft charter for recruiting purposes.