Kyle Neptune is reportedly expected to become the next head coach of the Villanova men’s basketball program.
Legendary head coach Jay Wright is reportedly retiring. According to multiple reports, the two-time national title-winning head coach is informing his players of the decision tonight.
“Jay Wright is retiring at Villanova… the latest in a massive changing of the guard in college basketball. Many coaches expected Wright to help lead the profession with Coach K, Roy retiring. Instead, Jay’s joining them,” Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated writes.
Villanova didn’t take long to zero in on a replacement for Wright, as Neptune is expected to take his place on the Wildcats bench.
Fordham University coach Kyle Neptune is expected to be the choice to succeed two-time NCAA champion Jay Wright as the new head coach of Villanova, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 20, 2022
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Who is Kyle Neptune?
The 37-year-old head coach has been leading Fordham’s college basketball program for one season. He was hired prior to the 2021-22 season.
Neptune was previously an assistant at Villanova under Wright.
The Wildcats’ new head coach was on the bench at Villanova from 2013-21. He was previously an assistant coach at Niagara from 2010-13.
Neptune began his coaching career as a video coordinator at Villanova from 2008-10.
Former Villanova star Mikal Bridges appears to be a fan of the move. He took to Twitter on Wednesday evening.
Ohhhhhhh thats tough !!! @kyleneptune WELL DESERVED
— Mikal Bridges (@mikal_bridges) April 20, 2022
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Bridges has become one of the NBA’s best 3-and-D players. He was a finalist for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award this year. That’s a pretty good endorsement to have for Villanova’s new head coach.
An official announcement on Kyle Neptune is expected soon, per reports.