Jay Wright announced on Wednesday that he was “proud and excited to hand over the helm to the next coach, Villanov,” ending his illustrious tenure at the helm of the men’s basketball program.
Digital Wright plans to remain at the university in a different role, according to a message from Fox News. Kyle Neptune, current Fordham coach and former assistant behind Wright, will take over as head coach of the Wildcats, the email said.
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Villanova Wildcats head coach Jay Wright watches 2022 men’s basketball training for the Final Four at the Caesars Superdome on April 1, 2022 in New Orleans. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
CBS Sports and The Athletic first announced that Wright plans to retire.
the 60-year-old Pennsylvania resident was one of the most successful men’s basketball coaches in NCAA history.
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Villanov’s head coach Jay Wright is upset by the phone call in the first half of a match against Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Pittsburgh on March 20, 2022 (AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar)
He took over this job in 2001 after spending about seven seasons with Hofstra. He initially served as an assistant to the legendary Rollie Massimino in 1987-1992 and went with him to UNLV from 1992 to 1994 before joining the Hofstra.
At Villanova, Wright led the Wildcats to two NCAA championships, five Big East Tournaments, and made four Final Four appearances, including in the years 2022 when the Wildcats lost to Ultimate National Champion Jayhawks.
Villanov’s head coach Jay Wright shouts during the first half of the match against Houston at the NCAA Elite Eight Tournament on March 26, 2022 in San Antonio. (Photo AP / Eric Gay)
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Wright has a total of 642-282 and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. He was assistant coach for the US team during the summer when the Americans won gold in Tokyo.
