Jay Wright retirement: College basketball media stunned by Jay Wright stepping down from Villanova
College basketball media was stunned by the news that Villanova head coach Jay Wright is planning to retire after a national championship-winning career.
Some of the biggest names in college basketball have left the sport over the last couple of years and another appears ready to joing them.
Two-time national champion Villanova head coach Jay Wright is reportedly on the verge of retiring.
Wright’s apparent decision to step away at the age of 60 was a bit of a shock to the college football landscape.
— Jay Wright (@CoachJayWright) April 21, 2022
College basketball media stunned by Jay Wright retirement rumors
In the span of 13 months, Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and Jay Wright have all retired.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) April 20, 2022
A total changing-of-the-guard moment in the sport of college basketball.
Jay Wright should have a $19,000 three-piece suit hanging in the rafters at Villanova's arena, and they should make sure it's freshly pressed before every game. Only way to honor him
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) April 20, 2022
Shoutout to Jay Wright for the coldest celebration in HISTORY after winning the national championship on a buzzer-beater. pic.twitter.com/KfMgQXhulY
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 20, 2022
If you told me this morning either:
— No Escalators (@NoEscalators) April 20, 2022
1) Jay Wright would retire today and be replaced by Kyle Neptune
Or
2) We'd be invaded today by aliens from Neptune
I would have taken the aliens
Honestly, pretty cool for Jay Wright. I know coaches love coaching, but does he really need this anymore? He’s accomplished literally everything possible, from titles to Final Fours to the Hall of Fame. Good for him to go out and just enjoy his life, man.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 20, 2022
Doesn't Jay Wright know you're supposed to go on a tour and get a bunch of gifts then yell at Nova fans in his final home game? Guy doing it all wrong.
— CJ Moore (@CJMooreHoops) April 20, 2022
Villanova fans hearing that Jay Wright is stepping down
— Barstool College Basketball (@StoolCBB) April 20, 2022
pic.twitter.com/OswS43LGp7
Thank you Jay Wright:
— The Full 40: A Villanova Basketball Podcast (@thefull40) April 20, 2022
For the memories & life lessons.
For the dignity & class.
For the investment & contributions to Villanova & community.
For the staff, players & alumni.
For the humility in defeat & victory.
For the titles.
For everything.
Thank you.
Maybe my favorite @ESPNStatsInfo Jay Wright nugget so far tonight: Since Big East realignment in 2013-14, Villanova has won either the Big East regular season or tournament title every single season.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 20, 2022
Wright came on as Villanova’s head coach in 2001. After many years of success, he broke through for the ultimate prize and won two national championships in 2016 and 2018. He came close to adding another this year as he took the Wildcats to the Final Four.
The coach has had strong tournament runs in the last two years, so he’s definitely not under pressure from Villanova to step down. It just seems he’s reached a point where he has achieved what he wanted in his career. He can now step away and enjoy retired life.
There may always be the call to come back for another job in college or perhaps even the NBA, but reports so far suggest Wright has no interest in the pro game.
According to multiple reports, Kyle Neptune of Fordham will take over for Wright. Neptune was a long-time assistant under Wright before taking his first head coaching gig at Fordham last year.
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