At a news conference in Seattle on the eve of the fourth-seeded Terrapins’ first-round matchup against Grand Canyon, Willard revealed Evans had given him a term sheet for a contract extension Sunday night. Willard then said he has yet to sign it, in part because Evans is planning to leave to become athletic director at Southern Methodist.
“He’s probably going to SMU, so it’s kind of tough to negotiate with somebody that’s maybe not here,” Willard said.
“That’s what I’m focused on right now. That’s why probably a deal hasn’t got done, because I want to see — I need to see fundamental changes done. I want this program to be great. I want it to be the best in the country. I want to win a national championship, but there’s things that need to change.”
Willard wanted to stay in New York City an extra night as a Christmas celebration for his team, but Maryland’s athletic department declined his request.
“I was told that we can’t do that because it’s too expensive,” Willard said. “So I don’t know how we can be a top-tier program and I can’t spend one extra night in New York because it’s too expensive. So there’s fundamental things I’m fighting for my team and my program. It’s not so much about me. I want to make sure that whatever we do going forward we’re successful and we’re successful at the highest rate.”
