Been Around the Block: Kevin Willard Returns to Familiar Power Conference
May 4th, 2025 - 8:22
Porter Moser coached two schools in the Missouri Valley Conference (Illinois State and Loyola of Chicago) before aligning with Oklahoma. Ditto Chris Beard in Big 12 (Texas Tech and Texas) prior to moving to Ole Miss. Former Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard, leaving Maryland to join Villanova, accepted another bench-boss position in Big East Conference, joining the following alphabetical list of active coaches - four of them in SWAC - who were bench bosses of two different members in the same league:
| Active Coach | Conference | Previous School | Current School |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Calipari | SEC | Kentucky (2009-10 through 2023-24) | Arkansas (since 2024-25) |
| Ed Cooley | Big East | Providence (2011-12 through 2022-23) | Georgetown (since 2023-24) |
| Patrick Crarey II | SWAC | Florida A&M (2024-25) | Grambling (since 2025-26) |
| John Groce | Mid-American | Ohio University (2008-09 through 2011-12) | Akron (since 2017-18) |
| Stan Heath | Mid-American | Kent State (2001-02) | Eastern Michigan (since 2021-22) |
| Chris Holtmann | Big East | Butler (2014-15 through 2016-17) | DePaul (since 2024-25) |
| George Ivory | SWAC | Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2008-09 through 2020-21) | Mississippi Valley State (since 2022-23) |
| Donte' Jackson | SWAC | Grambling (2017-18 through 2024-25) | Alabama A&M (since 2025-26) |
| Rob Lanier | American Athletic | Southern Methodist (2022-23 and 2023-24) | Rice (since 2024-25) |
| Archie Miller | Atlantic 10 | Dayton (2011-12 through 2016-17) | Rhode Island (since 2022-23) |
| Dave Paulsen | Patriot League | Bucknell (2008-09 through 2014-15) | Holy Cross (since 2023-24) |
| Bruce Pearl | SEC | Tennessee (2005-06 through 2010-11) | Auburn (since 2014-15) |
| Rick Pitino | Big East | Providence (1985-86 and 1986-87) | St. John's (since 2023-24) |
| Keith Richard | Sun Belt | Louisiana Tech (1998-99 through 2000-01) | Louisiana-Monroe (since 2010-11) |
| Kelvin Sampson | Big 12 | Oklahoma (1996-97 through 2005-06) | Houston (joined in 2023-24) |
| Michael White | SEC | Florida (2015-16 through 2021-22) | Georgia (since 2022-23) |
| Kevin Willard | Big East | Seton Hall (2010-11 through 2021-22) | Villanova (since 2025-26) |
| Maurice "Mo" Williams | SWAC | Alabama State (2020-21 and 2021-22) | Jackson State (since 2022-23) |