Tabor Names New Basketball Coach

Tabor Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Willard as the new head coach of the boys varsity basketball team. Willard brings a wealth of experience and a record of success at both the high school and collegiate levels. Over the course of his career, he led programs at Tilton School and Lesley University to their best overall season records in school history.

Head of School Tony Jaccaci says he is “excited to welcome Scott and his family to Tabor and to join Seawolf Nation,” adding that “he is a basketball coach with proven success leading programs at both the high school and collegiate level. Moreover, he understands the role of athletics in education and emphasizes the whole person development of his scholar-athletes—both on and off the court.”

Willard’s résumé includes head coaching roles at Tilton School, Christ School, and Miller School of Albemarle. At each institution, his teams earned conference championships. At Tilton, he led the school to its first NEPSAC championship in its 150-year history. During his time at Christ School, his teams won three consecutive Carolina Association Conference titles and earned a spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 National Rankings. At Miller School of Albemarle, Willard guided his team to the Division I Final Four, secured a Virginia Independent Conference title, and was named VIC Coach of the Year. He also served for two seasons as an assistant coach with USA Basketball’s U-18 team.

At the collegiate level, Willard coached at Lesley University, where he mentored two Tabor alumni. Under his leadership, the program made its first appearance in the conference championship and posted the best overall and conference records in school history. He also gained Division I experience as a member of the coaching staff at the University of Wyoming.

Tabor’s Director of Athletics and Co-Curriculars, Kelly Walker, says, “his experience at both the high school and collegiate levels provides our student-athletes with top-tier coaching and mentorship. We look forward to the leadership and passion he brings to the program. In addition to his coaching expertise, Coach Willard has a strong background in player development, having worked with numerous athletes who go on to play at the collegiate level. His emphasis on fundamentals, strategic gameplay, and character development is invaluable as he leads the program into the future.”

Willard will live on campus with his wife, Rachel, and their three daughters—Sammy, Haley, and Lexi. In addition to his role as head coach, he will teach in the Mathematics Department. “Tabor Academy is a special place and an incredible opportunity to change lives for the better and continue to build on its rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence,” Willard says. “It is an absolute honor to lead this program and represent this community.”

For more information about Scott Willard or Tabor athletics, contact Assistant Athletic Director Jeff Moore at jmoore@taboracademy.org.