Willard leaving Holy Cross, will join Pitino
WORCESTER - The Ralph Willard era at Holy Cross - a decade during which the Crusaders won nearly 200 games and made five postseason appearances - is over.
Willard announced yesterday he is leaving Holy Cross, his alma mater, to become best friend Rick Pitino's top assistant at the University of Louisville.
"I feel relief and excitement," Willard said yesterday afternoon in his Hart Center office. "I've always been a firm believer that you have to know when it's time to move on to another challenge. This is another challenge and I'm excited about taking it on. I'm excited about the next phase of my coaching career.
"Some people may look at it as a step down because I'm not a head coach anymore," Willard added, "but I look at it as another challenge, another opportunity to do something special, and I'm excited about that. There's a part of me that aches because I'm leaving a great group of kids and my alma mater, but it's time."
Willard will be introduced at a press conference at Louisville tomorrow. His last day at Holy Cross is Monday.
At 192-117, Willard leaves with the second-most wins in Holy Cross men's basketball history. He guided the Crusaders to four Patriot League titles, four NCAA Tournament appearances, and an NIT bid.
"I'm sorry to see Ralph go," said Holy Cross director of athletics Dick Regan. "I think he's one of the best coaches in America. I think he was great here."
Willard, 63, signed a five-year contract in 2007 and Regan was hopeful he would finish his career at Holy Cross.
"I think if this opportunity at Louisville hadn't popped up, he would have stayed," Regan said. "I think the lure of being with Rick and spending the last few years of his career chasing a national championship with his best friend is something in his heart he wants to do."
On Monday, Willard met with his players and told them he was seriously considering the Louisville offer. Yesterday, he brought the team together again to say he had made his decision.
"It's disappointing, but I feel fortunate I was here for three years with him and learned the things that he taught me," said forward Andrew Keister.
The search for Willard's replacement will begin immediately, and Regan would like to have the new coach in place by July 1.
