Villanova's Jay Wright retires as basketball head coach

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - Jay Wright has announced his retirement as the head coach of the Villanova men's basketball team after leading the Wildcats for 21 seasons.

"After 35 years in coaching, I am proud and excited to hand over the reins to a member of our basketball family, Kyle Neptune," Wright said in a statement on Wednesday night.

"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," said Wright, who will remain with the Villanova University as the special assistant to the president.

Neptune, who was part of the Villanova coaching staff before serving as the head coach at Fordham University in 2021, will succeed Wright as the next head coach of the Villanova Wildcats, according to a statement by the Villanova University.

Wright was named the head coach of the Wildcats in 2001 and led them to two NCAA Division I Tournament victories in 2016 and 2018.

He led his team to four NCAA Regional Final Fours in 2009, 2016, 2018, and 2022.

The 60-year-old was awarded Big East Coach of the Year six times (2006, 2009, 2014-2016, 2019, and 2019), America East Coach of the Year twice (2000 and 2001), and AP Coach of the Decade in the 2010s.

Wright was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.