Scott Van Pelt's frustration with Kevin Willard is misguided

Per USA Today data from March 2024, Maryland's athletics department ranked 12th in the Big Ten in total expenses before the arrival of former Pac-12 members Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington.

Willard also revealed that uncertainty with the university's athletics department influenced the negotiation process.

Former Maryland athletics director Damon Evans accepted the same role at SMU before Willard took Villanova's offer.

"Maybe ... don't take a giant s--- on the front steps of the house you've lived in the last three years," Van Pelt responded on his "SVPod" podcast. (h/t 247 Sports)

The long-time "SportsCenter" host was critical of Willard for leading Maryland on and suggesting that if the university made proper changes, he would stay.

"You don't take the efforts of the people behind the scenes ... and tell them ... 'I love this university and I just want it to be great,'" Van Pelt said.

"Maybe you don't tell those people that to their face repeatedly when everyone in the industry is saying ... 'He's gone,'" he continued.

We get Van Pelt's point. Breakups aren't fun.

But Willard said what Maryland needed to hear. While he might never have intended to stay, the Terrapins needed to make a more concerted effort in constructing a sustainable winning program.

Maryland is anticipated to have earmarked $4M in revenue sharing for the men's basketball program, which should rank near the top among Big Ten teams, per Yahoo Sports.

That money won't go away simply because Willard is no longer in the frame.

Maryland also upgraded at head coach thanks to his departure, luring Buzz Williams from Texas A&M on Tuesday.

Williams has a career 373-228 (.621) record, including 11 NCAA Tournament appearances in 18 seasons as a head coach, which began at New Orleans in 2006-07 and also included stints at Marquette (2008-14) and Virginia Tech (2014-19).

Willard is 335-249 (.574) all-time, also in 18 seasons, and has seven career NCAA Tournament appearances.

While Willard and Maryland's split was messy, it should be best for everyone. He gets to coach where basketball is the top priority, while Maryland received a necessary wake-up call.

As Van Pelt colorfully put it, while Willard might have left a mess on his way out, at least Maryland has turned it into something positive.