In a surprising move, Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright is retiring as the most successful men’s basketball coach in Villanova history, according to a report by The Athletic, citing sources.
The 60-year-old Wright guided the Wildcats to NCAA championships in 2016 and ’18, compiling a 520-197 record (244-123 in the Big East Conference) during his 21 years at ‘Nova. He took Villanova to the Final Four this year before losing to eventual champion Kansas.
Reports indicated Fordham coach Kyle Neptune is expected to succeed the popular Wright. Neptune left Wright’s staff after eight years as an assistant, to take the Fordham job in March 2021. He went 16-16 during his lone season at Fordham. Neptune, 37, played his college ball at Lehigh.
Wright supposedly told his players the news during a team meeting Wednesday night.
Wright, a Council Rock High School graduate, was part of the 2021 induction class to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Winning is the constant:Jay Wright is the key to Villanova’s success
Laying the foundation:Growing up in Bucks County helped turn Jay Wright into a Hall of Famer
Villanova has either won the Big East regular season title or tournament during each of the past nine years. The Wildcats went 263-53 during that span, including 136-16 from 2014-18.
Wright, a former Villanova assistant, became head coach in 2001-02 after seven years as coach at Hofstra. He tended to go with three-guard lineups and undersized big men, emphasized 3-point shooting and preached playing Villanova basketball. That meant defending, hustling and supporting your teammates.
Wright was highly respected by other college coaches for the way he handled himself and was willing to share his philosophies with others, especially younger coaches.
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes; @TomMoorePhilly
