One of the deciders in the process was none other than Jay Wright, Willard’s former adversary over a decade coaching at Seton Hall. After formal conversations with university President Rev. Peter Donohue and athletic director Eric Roedl, Willard fired up the old Big East phone tree Saturday night.

Now, Willard is officially the head coach at Villanova, and the school released a statement on Sunday morning. Shortly after, the Big East Conference had a message for Willard. "Welcome back to the BIG EAST @KevinWillard!" the Big East account wrote on X.