He is the former head coach of Iona College, where he took over the reins after Jeff Ruland was fired after going 2–28 in 2007.

After completing the turnaround, on March 28, 2010, Willard accepted the head coaching position at Seton Hall University, a school that competes in the Big East Conference.

On March 14, 2019, he became the first Pirates head coach to lead the team to four straight 20 win seasons.

[3] On March 21, 2022, Willard accepted the job to be the next head basketball coach at the University of Maryland.

[4] Willard led the Terps to an NCAA Tournament bid in his first season as head coach.