Kevin Willard, the new head coach at Villanova, has unveiled his complete coaching staff lineup.
Ashley Howard remains the only member from the previous staff, while six new coaches transition from Maryland to the Main Line.
Joining Howard as assistant coaches for the 2025-26 season are David Cox, Kevin Norris, Greg Manning Jr., and Ricky Harris. Additionally, Brenton Petty has been appointed as the director of player personnel, and Charlie Butler has taken on the role of director of basketball operations.
“We are excited to welcome such a talented group of coaches to Villanova,” Willard expressed. “In today’s college basketball landscape, staff cohesion is extremely important. Retaining a group that fits well within this community is a significant achievement. Our team brings extensive Big East recruiting knowledge and a proven history of on-court development.”
Another returning figure is Baker Dunleavy, who will continue in his role as general manager.
Here’s a closer look at Willard’s new coaching staff:
Charlie Butler, Director of Basketball Operations
- Began his association with Kevin Willard as a student manager at Seton Hall from 2011-2015.
- Served as a video coordinator at Seton Hall for two years post-graduation.
- Became coordinator of basketball operations at Seton Hall in 2017.
- Originally from Annapolis, MD, Butler followed Willard to Maryland, where he was director of basketball operations for the last two years before joining Villanova.
David Cox, Assistant Coach
- Cox was an assistant to Willard for three years at Maryland, serving as associate head coach in the past two seasons.
- Prior to Maryland, he was the head coach at Rhode Island with a record of 64-55 from 2018-2022.
- Has previous Big East experience from 2006-2014, serving roles at Pitt, Georgetown, and Rutgers.
- Cox was also a three-year starting player at William and Mary, graduating in 1995.
Ricky Harris, Assistant Coach
- Harris spent the previous two seasons as Maryland’s director of player personnel.
- Before that, he was the director of basketball operations at UMass for two seasons.
- A standout at UMass, he ranks among the program’s leading scorers with 1,960 career points and had an 11-year professional career overseas.
Ashley Howard, Assistant Coach
- A returning coach who experienced both the Jay Wright and Kyle Neptune eras, Howard is staying for Willard’s new era.
- He returned to Villanova in 2023 after a year off, following a four-year tenure as La Salle’s head coach.
- Howard is known for his work under Wright from 2013-2018, contributing to multiple Big East titles and national championships.
Greg Manning Jr., Assistant Coach
- Manning joins Villanova after spending seven years at Maryland.
- Prior to Maryland, he was an assistant at Siena, helping them reach the MAAC championship game.
- Also spent time at Loyola (MD) where he contributed to significant wins during his playing career.
Kevin Norris, Assistant Coach
- Norris arrives at Villanova after one season at Maryland, previously spending eight years at UCF.
- He was part of FGCU’s memorable “Dunk City” run to the Sweet 16 in 2013.
- Norris also has coached at several other institutions before UCF and was an All-Big East Rookie at Miami.
Brenton Perry, Director of Player Personnel
- Perry was previously the video coordinator at Maryland from 2021-2025.
- He also served as a graduate manager for the Terrapins and worked with the Detroit Pistons.
- A former player, Perry represented Fordham from 2015-2018.
