Jay Wright, the long term head men’s basketball coach at Villanova, has decided to retire his position after 21 seasons at the school in an announcement made on Wednesday.
Wright, who lead Villanova to a pair of national titles, will accept a new position as a Special Assistant to the University President. Kyle Neptune, who who was on the staff under Wright before taking over as head coach at Fordham in 2021, will be the new head coach.
Wright ends his coaching career with the Wildcats with a record of 520-197 (.725 win percentage) since taking over in 2001 that includes the national championship wins in 2016 and 2018, and Final Four appearances in 2009 and this past season. He was named the Big East Coach of the Year six times and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2021. His other head coaching job was at Hofstra (1994-2001) prior to being named HC at Villanova, and also spent time as an assistant at Rochester (1984-86), Drexel (86-87), Villanova (87-92), and UNLV (92-94). In his new position at the University, Wright will be involved with fundraising, advising, education, and more.
“Over the past 21 seasons, I have had the opportunity to live out a professional dream as the head coach at Villanova,” stated Wright. “Patty and I have been blessed to work with incredible, gifted young men who allowed us to coach them and brought us unmatched joy. We cannot overstate our gratitude to the players, coaches, and administrators who have been with us on this path. It has been an honor and a privilege to work at Villanova, especially under Father Peter and Mark Jackson.
Now, though, it’s time for us to enter a new era of Villanova Basketball. After 35 years in coaching, I am proud and excited to hand over the reins to a member of our basketball family, Kyle Neptune. I am excited to remain a part of Villanova and look forward to working with Father Peter, Mark and the rest of the leadership team. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
