Kevin Willard and Rick Pitino go way back.
The Villanova head coach and former Kentucky head coach Pitino worked together at Louisville from 2001-2007, Pitino’s return-to-college job after his final attempt at being an NBA head coach with the Boston Celtics.
The pair met back up on Saturday night, when Pitino’s St. John’s squad absolutely demolished Willard’s Wildcats 89-57 in a game that was never close. Following the game, reporters spoke with Willard and asked to learn more about his relationship with Pitino.
Willard gave a pretty hilarious answer, insisting Pitino is the reason he doesn’t have any hair. Other phrases from Willard’s answer include but are not limited to: “You fear for your life,” and “the most miserable experience in life.”
Hear it for yourself:
Kevin Willard on working for Rick Pitino 😂
"I'm not bullshitting you, I don't have hair cause of this guy. It's the most miserable experience in life. You fear for your life… And as he's gotten older, he's probably become more of a cranky old bitch"
(🎥: @PHLSportsNow) pic.twitter.com/3MnZZ8vyux
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 1, 2026
Willard said all this tongue-in-cheek, of course. Here’s what he had to say on social media earlier on Sunday afternoon.
Coach Pitino gave me my first opportunity as a coach, a fact I am forever grateful for. It is impossible to calculate how much I learned in every aspect of the game in my 10 years working for him.
As a great competitor, he was often at his best after a loss. His energy and…
— Kevin Willard (@KevinWillard) March 1, 2026
Villanova and St. John’s are both in great shape to compete in the Round of 64 according to Kalshi, with odds each exceeding 98%. Here’s a look at some intriguing bubble odds:
Ethan Stone
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.