Williams brings 18 years of college coaching experience with him to College Park, including stops with Marquette, Virginia Tech, and Texas A&M. Over the last three seasons, Williams helped lead the Aggies to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Maryland’s outstanding starting unit — nicknamed the “Crab Five” — is splintering in the wake of Willard’s exit.

Although Maryland fans may have felt blindsided, Willard was frequently linked to the role, with the possibility really starting to ramp up during the team's NCAA Tournament run. Maryland's superstar freshman Derik Queen took to X to show his disappointment with the news, using multiple sad emojis in response to the report.