Overview

• Damon Evans, Maryland's athletic director since 2017, is expected to take over as SMU's athletic director, though the move is not yet finalized.
• Kevin Willard, Maryland's basketball coach, has not signed a contract extension, citing uncertainty over Evans' departure and dissatisfaction with program support.
• Willard has expressed concerns about Maryland's NIL funding and operational expenses, calling for fundamental changes to elevate the program's competitiveness.
• SMU's outgoing athletic director, Rick Hart, will step down at the end of 2025 after overseeing the university's move to the ACC and other key milestones.
• SMU's aggressive push in college athletics, including forgoing nearly a decade of television revenue to join the ACC, has been supported by significant booster funding.