Iona names Willard men's basketball coach

Apr 10, 2007 - 6:47 PM NEW ROCHELLE, New York (Ticker) -- Iona is banking on Kevin Willard to bring back Iona basketball to respectability.

Willard was named the men's coach at Iona on Tuesday.

For the last six seasons, Willard was an assistant under Rick Pitino at Louisville.

"This is going to be a fun and exciting time for Iona basketball," Willard said. "I expect great things from our players, from our staff, from myself and I look forward to leading these guys into a new direction."

Willard replaces Jeff Ruland, who was bought out of the final two years of his contract.

Often starting five freshmen and hampered by injuries, Iona started 0-22 last season en route to a 2-28 campaign, the worst mark in the program's 62-year history.

Willard's father, Ralph, is the coach for Holy Cross.