Sources – Jay Wright of Vilanova is expected to retire as head coach; Kyle Neptune will probably take over

Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright is expected to retire after 21 seasons as head coach of men’s basketball in Vilanova, ESPN sources confirmed.

Kyle Neptune of Fordham, who spent 10 years under Wright as video coordinator and assistant coach, is expected to be named his successor, sources said.

Wright has convened a meeting of the team on Wednesday night, according to sources.

Wright, 60, has been Vilanova’s head coach since 2001. He has won two national championships in 2016 and 2018 and has played in four Final Four matches, including one last season. He was named Naismith Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2016 and inducted into the 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame.

Wright made 520-197 during his 21 seasons with the Wildcats, winning at least 30 games in six times, the sixth season with 30 wins in the history of the Men’s Division I. He won eight titles in the regular season of the Big East and five championship tournaments. in the Big East.

Prior to taking over at Vilanova, Wright was Hofstra’s head coach for seven seasons, winning two American East championships and making two NCAA tournaments.

Neptune, Wright’s expected successor, has been Ford’s head coach for one season. He led Rams to a 16-16 campaign, an improvement of 14 wins over their 2020-21 season.

The news of Wright’s expected retirement, first reported by The Athletic, shocked the world of university basketball, where Wright is one of the most respected coaches. With Mike Krzyzewski’s recent retirement, Wright was one of only three active coaches to win several national titles. (Bill Self and Rick Pitino are the others.)

“It’s a huge loss for college basketball,” Syracuse coach Jim Boheim told ESPN, adding that Wright was “absolutely” one of the best coaches of the modern era.

Boheim was among the many coaches contacted by ESPN who were stunned by the news. Notre Dame coach Mike Bray said he was also surprised.

“He really achieved everything and did everything with class,” Bray told ESPN. “It’s a big loss for the college game.”

Wright’s victories, titles and achievements speak for themselves. But Wednesday’s topic of sports was how Wright handled himself.

“I’ve known Jay throughout his coaching career,” former Big East commissioner Mike Trangese told ESPN. “He’s a great coach, but a better man.”

Pete Tamel of ESPN contributed to this report.