On Wednesday night, multiple reports revealed that longtime Villanova head basketball coach Jay Wright is stepping down from his position.
Wright just finished his 21st season as the Wildcats’ head coach and showed no indication of calling it quits heading into this year’s college basketball offseason.
So why did Wright make this decision?
According to reports from ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the 60-year-old coach is simply ready to move on to the “next stage” of life.
“Wright started to alert close friends on Tuesday night that he planned to retire as Villanova coach. He’s described as ‘fully at peace with the decision,’ one source says, and ready to move to next stage of his life,” Woj reports.
Wright started to alert close friends on Tuesday night that he planned to retire as Villanova coach. He’s described as “fully at peace with the decision,” one source says, and ready to move to next stage of his life. Wright’s 60, a two-time NCAA champ and Naismith Hall of Famer.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2022
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Given the success he enjoyed over 21 years with Villanova, it makes sense why Wright is “fully at peace” with the decision to move on.
After making his first NCAA Tournament appearance with the Wildcats in his fourth year, Wright and Villanova earned tournament berths in all but one season. Including this year’s trip, the two-time AP Coach of the Year led his team to four Final Four appearances. His dominant program won it all on two occasions (2016, 2018).
Wright is not only retiring from Villanova, but from coaching overall. According to Wojnarowski, Wright has no interest in taking a job at the NBA level.
Fordham head coach Kyle Neptune is reportedly set to replace Wright as Villanova’s head coach.