Hall of Fame coach and two-time NCAA Champion Jay Wright is retiring after 21 seasons at Villanova. Wright went 520-197 as the Wildcats’ head coach and 642-282 overall when adding in his seven seasons at Hofstra.
“Over the past 21 seasons, I have had the opportunity to live out a professional dream as the head coach at Villanova,” Wright said in a statement on Wednesday. “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.”
The Wildcats recently appeared in the 2022 Final Four in New Orleans, his fourth at the helm at Villanova. In addition to winning the 2016 and 2018 NCAA Championships, Wright claimed eight Big East titles and went to 17 NCAA Tournaments. Before Villanova, he coached at Hofstra and took the Pride to the Big Dance in 2000.
“Jay’s legacy at Villanova extends well beyond the numerous awards, accolades and championships,” said AD Mark Jackson. “He will be forever known to our community as Villanova’s winningest coach, who did things the “Wright” way, guiding, developing, and empowering the student-athletes who played for him to not only be better on the basketball court but in their personal lives. Jay taught us all the true meaning of “ATTITUDE,” so, on behalf of everyone associated with Villanova Basketball, we would like to express our overwhelming “GRATITUDE” for everything he has done for Villanova.”
In the same press release, Villanova announced the hiring of Fordham head coach – and former Villanova assistant – Kyle Neptune as Wright’s successor. More on that here >> Kyle Neptune taking over at Villanova.
Wright is not leaving Villanova, though, as he is transitioning into a new role as Special Assistant to the President.
credit to Villanova Athletics for the image
