VILLANOVA, Pa. - New Villanova Head Men's Basketball Coach Kevin Willard was introduced to the Villanova Community in Finneran Pavilion on April 9.

The full replay of the news conference is available by clicking the link at the top of this story.

Some notable quotes:

Villanova President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA: "Coach Willard is no stranger to VIllanova Basketball, having competed against us  having competed against us during his playing days at Pitt and during his 12-year coaching tenure at Seton Hall University. I had a front row seat for many of those Villanova-Seton Hall matchups. They were competitive and hard fought games on both sides. I look forward to seeing the same grit and enthusisasm on display at Finneran Pavilion and the Wells Fargo Center next season.

"When I took this job nearly 20 years ago, I had no idea how central a role Athletics and basketball ini particular, would play in the work that I do as President of Villanova. Men's Basketball is a valued and highly visible part of our University community. Its success has helped elevate its national and global profile. Villanova Basketball is a source of pride for countless Villanovans. One just needs to look around the room to see the passion and enthusiasm that surrounds our program. We have very high expectations for Men's Basketball and we should. Under Coach Willard's leadership I am confident that Villanova's legacy of success will continue, maintaining our place among the nation's elite."

Villanova Vice President and Director of Athletics Eric Roedl: "We are thrilled to welcome Coach Willard, his wife Julie and sons Colin and Chase to Villanova. 

"I also want tto thank Kyle Neptune for all that he put into the Villanova Basketball program over the last three seasons as our head coach and prior to that for many more years before that as a part of Coach Wright's staff. Coach Neptune has been and always will be a great Villanovan. We are also appreciative of the great leadership Coach Mike Nardi provided to our program over the last several weeks as outinterim head coach, including a great run with our team last week at the Crown i nLas Vegas. To our current team members, we could not have been more proud of how you came together and played as a team this season and over the past several weeks. 

"In our first meeting as a search committee we identified the key qualities and characteristics that we sought in our next head coach. They included a close alignment and fit with our community and Augustinian values. an experienced head coach who has won at the highest levels of college basketball; an outstanding leader of young men; someone committed to the holisitic development of student-athletes, including their pursuit of a Villanova degree; a coach with an understanding of the modern landscape of college basketball and what it takes to be successful in the Big East and nationally; and a coach who would connect and engage with our campus  alumni and donor communities. We had the chance to speak with several outstanding candidates from across the country. When we had the chance to speak with Coach Willard, it quickly became clear that he was everything we were looking for."

Head Coach Kevin Willard:  "I'm going to be brief because over the last two weeks I've learned it's better to say less than it is more.

"I would like to thank Father Peter, Eric, everyone on the search committee, for giving me this unbelievable opportunity. I am humbled, I am privleged. This is an honor I never thought would occur. I want to say thank you to everyone in the Villanova community that has been so welcoming to my family. The last eight days have been like Christmas every day. It's gotten better and better.

"I have to say thank you to the former players. It's a brotherhood and culture that is unbelievably strong. You guys reaching out to me every day has made this transition unbelievable."

For the full news conference please click here: Press Conference - New Villanova William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach, Kevin Willard

For an image gallery go here: https://villanova.com/galleries/mens-basketball/kevin-willard-introductory-news-conferen/1771