SAN DIEGO — It’s become an annual tradition for Seton Hall and its fans as the NCAA Tournament berths have piled up: Worrying whether their coach will get poached.
Three years ago, Kevin Willard flirted with Virginia Tech, and he has been linked to current openings at Maryland and Missouri. But the Pirates coach said any talk of him potentially going elsewhere is extremely premature, particularly since he hasn’t discussed it with the decision-maker in the family, his wife Julie.
“She’s the one that has to give her blessing,” Willard told The Post ahead of eighth-seeded Seton Hall NCAA Tournament, South Region opener against No. 9 TCU Friday night. “She runs the family. She’s in charge. My family always comes first.
“There hasn’t really been anything to talk about. It’s not like someone has offered me a job or anything. Right now it’s just stuff on Twitter. We have not talked about anything besides when [the family] is coming to San Diego.”
He added: “I just don’t pay attention to it. I’m focused on what I have to do with my players.”
Kevin Willard Bill Kostroun
In his 12th season at Seton Hall, Willard has three guaranteed years remaining on his contract after this season, and is believed to be making a base salary just south of $2.5 million per season. Asked about a potential contract extension for him, athletic director Bryan Felt said school policy is not to discuss such matters.
“Kevin and I talk about [schools going after him] every year. We talked about it last year. We’ll talk about it again this year I’m sure, should something come up,” Felt said. “We’ll be very transparent with each other. Kevin and I have talked about how much he loves being here, and we love having him. So we both know where each other stand.”
As his sons, Colin and Chase, have grown older, Willard has had to address the annual rumors with them. That’s been the biggest change when it comes to the noise about him leaving Seton Hall one day.
“What I’ve explained to them is unfortunately every year there is a coaching carousel and you’re on one side of the other,” Willard said. “You’d rather be on this side than the bad side.”
Willard was coy when directly asked about his future at Seton Hall. He wouldn’t guarantee he would be the coach there next season, joking that he could get fired — which of course is not happening. But he did say he is happy and isn’t looking to go anywhere, and doesn’t feel the fan base is overly concerned about losing him, either.
“I’ve yet to see anybody who is worried [I could leave],” Willard said.
