Jay Wright Retiring

[XU-PA]

https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/breaking-villanovas-jay-wright-is-reportedly-retiring

[MHettel]

saw that. . WHAAAAAT!

[noteggs]

saw that. . WHAAAAAT!

Hmmm. Maybe he agrees with your posts in transfer portal thread. Obviously more to this if happens, but still makes you think.

[muskiefan82]

Wow if that happens. Guess Sean is just that intimidating...

[noteggs]

Rumors have Kyle Neptune (long time assistant and current Fordham coach) as his replacement. Interesting

[Xavgrad08]

In the future it would not shock me to see more big name coaches retire around 60. As opposed to Coach K coaching til mid 70’s. The college game is a year round grind with recruiting. Combine that with the big time money , and I can understand wanting to retire once you are set.

[D-West & PO-Z]

No way he is retiring.

Lakers job maybe?

[D-West & PO-Z]

No way he is retiring.

Lakers job maybe?

NVM, maybe he is. That is shocking. But he's done all that can be done more than once in college. Interesting!

[xu82]

NVM, maybe he is. That is shocking. But he's done all that can be done more than once in college. Interesting!

He’s got to be quite wealthy, he’s proven himself at the highest level of his field, and if he wants to walk off into the he sunset I wish him well.

If it opens up some room for Sean to be the new leader of the BE, oh well.

[xukeith]

He’s got to be quite wealthy, he’s proven himself at the highest level of his field, and if he wants to walk off into the he sunset I wish him well.

If it opens up some room for Sean to be the new leader of the BE, oh well.

I have no complaints in 7 years if Sean Miller resigns from coaching after 4 Final Fours and 2 National Championships.

[bigkatxu]

https://twitter.com/novambb/status/1516949572081397760?s=21&t=LPSp1EjsJyBRKUXeqx0KfQ

21 seasons is so impressive. Maybe more than the other accolades. The conference will miss him.

[chico]

Let the bidding war between the networks begin to get him as a studio analyst.

[drudy23]

I'm gonna be honest - he's one of my favorite coaches ever. He was an awesome coach. Have always had massive respect for him and how his teams performed.

[xu82]

Let the bidding war between the networks begin to get him as a studio analyst.

He will bring a pretty penny with his well spoken thoughts and his good looks in a fine suit. He could make a fortune without all the stress. Seems like a great guy who deserves the good stuff in life.

[xudash]

I'm gonna be honest - he's one of my favorite coaches ever. He was an awesome coach. Have always had massive respect for him and how his teams performed.

Totally agree.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Let the bidding war between the networks begin to get him as a studio analyst.

Would love to see him replace Lavin who left Fox Sports.

[drudy23]

Would love to see him replace Lavin who left Fox Sports.

On his own? I always thought he was pretty good and knew the Big East well.

[D-West & PO-Z]

On his own? I always thought he was pretty good and knew the Big East well.

He took the head coaching job at San Diego.

I liked Lavin on TV as well.

[sirthought]

I'm continually impressed by the way Jay Wright was able to get his teams to play so HARD. And I can't recall another program where you see the players as effectively and consistently use the shot fake.

I don't know if it's how he trains them, or if they can just recruit guys who are a notch better than everyone else. But even when his teams didn't have those "complete" players to take over everything, the teams were so in sync that it was hard to knock them down.

21 years should be enough for anyone to say I want to do something else, but this move does really surprise me. It will be a huge impact on the Big East if Neptune can't maintain the same level of excellence. Especially if other Big East programs kind of stay at the level they are now. (Really good. Not great.)

[murray87]

Would have been fun seeing Sean face off against him at least once in the Cintas but not to be. Congrats to Coach Wright on going out on your own terms and not doing a farewell tour final season like some have.

[UCGRAD4X]

He will be missed. It was nice to have at least one Elite team we could count on year after year. I guess some other team will need to rise and take up that mantle for the league.

[xavierj]

He will be missed. It was nice to have at least one Elite team we could count on year after year. I guess some other team will need to rise and take up that mantle for the league.

Nova will still be the team to beat. They have guys coming back and some talent coming in.

[bleedXblue]

Sounds like he's going to stay on there in a special assistant role to the President.

I don't see Wright as a play by play guy and certainly dont think the NBA is for him either.

Of course, someone could offer 10 mil a year ad then all bets are off.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Would have been fun seeing Sean face off against him at least once in the Cintas but not to be. Congrats to Coach Wright on going out on your own terms and not doing a farewell tour final season like some have.

Jay Wright has an ego 1% that of Coach K. Not surprised he did this quietly after the season was over.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Nova will still be the team to beat. They have guys coming back and some talent coming in.

Yeah I dont think the concern for their program is immediate but there has to be some concern about the long term. Hopefully Neptune is the right guy to carry the torch.

[paulxu]

I wonder how hard it makes it for the new guy, to have the successful old guy still on campus?

[nuts4xu]

Nova will still be the team to beat. They have guys coming back and some talent coming in.

Neptune will allow for a pretty smooth transition. He was on the bench with Jay for 10 years, I think he knows the "Nova Way" (for lack of a better way to say it).

[D-West & PO-Z]

I wonder how hard it makes it for the new guy, to have the successful old guy still on campus?

My guess is it will be a lot easier for Kyle Neptune than it will be for Jon Scheyer. Just knowing what we know personality wise about the two coaches, I would bet Wright would take a mentorship role where he probably only gives advice where asked. I think it will be a lot harder for Coach K to keep out of the day to day at Duke.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Neptune will allow for a pretty smooth transition. He was on the bench with Jay for 10 years, I think he knows the "Nova Way" (for lack of a better way to say it).

Probably not a bad thing either that he got a year away as the head guy at another school. Maybe it was even planned?

[xavierj]

Probably not a bad thing either that he got a year away as the head guy at another school. Maybe it was even planned?

Probably was planned. Maybe not for sure this soon but I am sure they knew he would eventually be the guy. He did well last year too. Fordham went 2-11 in the Covid year and then he took over and went 16-16 and 8-10 in the A-10 in his one year.

[UCGRAD4X]

Nova will still be the team to beat. They have guys coming back and some talent coming in.

I'm thinking more long term. You can't tell me that losing Wright will have little effect on the program. We should also wait and see what kind of turnover there is player wise.

[xavierj]

I'm thinking more long term. You can't tell me that losing Wright will have little effect on the program. We should also wait and see what kind of turnover there is player wise.

Time will tell. I bet the players are onboard with the new coach. Also Villanova didn’t just become good because of Jay Wright. They have a pretty good basketball history. They will survive in my opinion. May see some bumps but they will still be a top 3 Big East program pretty much every year. Coaches don’t stay forever. North Carolina and Duke both had coaching changes the past two years. Eventually Bill Self will move in as well.

[GIMMFD]

Sounds like he's going to stay on there in a special assistant role to the President.

I don't see Wright as a play by play guy and certainly dont think the NBA is for him either.

Of course, someone could offer 10 mil a year ad then all bets are off.

Reading the ESPN article it said Wright was less and less enticed by NBA jobs as the years went on and never seriously considered walking away from Nova for that chance, it also mentioned a close source that said he's 100% comfortable in retirement. He gets to be an assistant to the President and still connected to Nova which obviously has a big place in his heart. Really liked Wright, he not only was a helluva coach, but seemed by all means to be a really upstanding guy as well. I wish him the best in the next chapter of his life. It's going to be super weird not seeing him on the Villanova sideline.

[muskiefan82]

Reading the ESPN article it said Wright was less and less enticed by NBA jobs as the years went on and never seriously considered walking away from Nova for that chance, it also mentioned a close source that said he's 100% comfortable in retirement. He gets to be an assistant to the President and still connected to Nova which obviously has a big place in his heart. Really liked Wright, he not only was a helluva coach, but seemed by all means to be a really upstanding guy as well. I wish him the best in the next chapter of his life. It's going to be super weird not seeing him on the Villanova sideline.

Yes. Very weird. What is stranger is that I could never hate Villanova. Their fan base was polite and complimentary even when they did not have to be, their teams played hard and well, and they beat the crap out of X most of the time. Yet, I have profound respect for the program and Coach Wright. I will miss him and the Big East will miss him, but maybe he will be an even better ambassador for the conference in whatever new role he ends up having. Congrats to you, Coach Wright on leaving on your terms at the height of the profession.

[IM4X]

He’s got to be quite wealthy, he’s proven himself at the highest level of his field, and if he wants to walk off into the he sunset I wish him well.

Yes. We are talking about a man with incredible integrity and class who “got it”from the start. He didn’t try to chase some bigger dream- he built his ideal dream situation where he felt at home and where he was already revered. He knew it would end up being best for him and his family. He got that the grass truly isn’t greener for the vast majority of those who choose the other side. Most coaches can’t pass up the big money thrown at them and glitzy lifestyle and the thought of immediately being thrust into the national spotlight. They don’t realize the additional challenges that will work against them: higher expectations, a shorter leash, an administration that doesn’t know you well or have your back in quite the same way, a fan base that will be quicker to turn on you when things don’t go perfectly.

Both Miller and Mack saw their “greener grass” turn brown. They both struggled to meet the high expectations and did things at their new jobs that tarnished their reputation and got them fired. Some might argue that it was worth it because they got a few extra million. I wonder if those two coached think so. I know Miller “gets it” now like Wright got it from the start.

Wright built his dream life his way, surrounded by the people he loves and who love him and then (with a good work ethic) things fell into place. Now he can walk away, knowing he has nothing more to prove and knowing the people around him will still love and revere him for the rest of his life. That is a pretty amazing thing.

I have to believe (as others do) that Jay is also looking at the NIL situation and the transfer portal and seeING more craziness about to happen and he just doesn’t care for the added stress and time expected with the new hokey-pokey way players are going to be coming and go year after year.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/villanova-coach-jay-wright-steps-down-joining-growing-number-who-are-walking-away-from-a-changing-profession/

[IM4X]

Yes. Very weird. What is stranger is that I could never hate Villanova. Their fan base was polite and complimentary even when they did not have to be, their teams played hard and well, and they beat the crap out of X most of the time. Yet, I have profound respect for the program and Coach Wright. I will miss him and the Big East will miss him, but maybe he will be an even better ambassador for the conference in whatever new role he ends up having. Congrats to you, Coach Wright on leaving on your terms at the height of the profession.

Agree. Great guy. Classy fans. He is everything that is right about college basketball. Sad to see him go, but happy he can do it on his own terms.

[xudash]

Yes. We are talking about a man with incredible integrity and class who “got it”from the start. He didn’t try to chase some bigger dream- he built his ideal dream situation where he felt at home and where he was already revered. He knew it would end up being best for him and his family. He got that the grass truly isn’t greener for the vast majority of those who choose the other side. Most coaches can’t pass up the big money thrown at them and glitzy lifestyle and the thought of immediately being thrust into the national spotlight. They don’t realize the additional challenges that will work against them: higher expectations, a shorter leash, an administration that doesn’t know you well or have your back in quite the same way, a fan base that will be quicker to turn on you when things don’t go perfectly.

Both Miller and Mack saw their “greener grass” turn brown. They both struggled to meet the high expectations and did things at their new jobs that tarnished their reputation and got them fired. Some might argue that it was worth it because they got a few extra million. I wonder if those two coached think so. I know Miller “gets it” now like Wright got it from the start.

Wright built his dream life his way, surrounded by the people he loves and who love him and then (with a good work ethic) things fell into place. Now he can walk away, knowing he has nothing more to prove and knowing the people around him will still love and revere him for the rest of his life. That is a pretty amazing thing.

I have to believe Jay is also looking at the NIL situation and the transfer portal and seeING more craziness about to happen and he just doesn’t care for the added stress and time expected with the new hokey-pokey way players are going to be coming and go year after year.

A key point to amplify here, based on your accurate assessment of Jay understanding that he could build his own dreams at Nova: he BEGAN WITH a Big East association when it came to taking the Nova job. Xavier lost Matta and Miller, in part, due to Xavier's affiliation with the A10. it's not to suggest that we can match crazy money or that certain jobs simply appeal to certain coaches (e.g. Mack), but the point is that we no longer have that problem.

More to the point - to your point - Miller now both "gets it" and he is back in the conference he grew up in as a player, albeit with a different cast of characters. If he can put up with the current state of things - and I truly believe he loves coaching that much - then we should enjoy having Sean for a while.

[IM4X]

Yes. Very weird. What is stranger is that I could never hate Villanova. Their fan base was polite and complimentary even when they did not have to be, their teams played hard and well, and they beat the crap out of X most of the time. Yet, I have profound respect for the program and Coach Wright. I will miss him and the Big East will miss him, but maybe he will be an even better ambassador for the conference in whatever new role he ends up having. Congrats to you, Coach Wright on leaving on your terms at the height of the profession.

Yep. Not many coaches who have both the success and the integrity that Wright has. I was a huge fan of his befor he ever one a championship because he was always so polite and gracious to other teams and their fans and he never came across as a jerk like a large number of coach can often do at times.

[D-West & PO-Z]

A key point to amplify here, based on your accurate assessment of Jay understanding that he could build his own dreams at Nova: he BEGAN WITH a Big East association when it came to taking the Nova job. Xavier lost Matta and Miller, in part, due to Xavier's affiliation with the A10. it's not to suggest that we can match crazy money or that certain jobs simply appeal to certain coaches (e.g. Mack), but the point is that we no longer have that problem.

More to the point - to your point - Miller now both "gets it" and he is back in the conference he grew up in as a player, albeit with a different cast of characters. If he can put up with the current state of things - and I truly believe he loves coaching that much - then we should enjoy having Sean for a while.

Yep. I'm not sure Miller didn't get it as much as he X wasn't in the best situation yet unfortunately. If we are in the BE, or heading there, with Miller, I don't think he leaves. He almost didn't as it was.

[xu82]

Yep. I'm not sure Miller didn't get it as much as he X wasn't in the best situation yet unfortunately. If we are in the BE, or heading there, with Miller, I don't think he leaves. He almost didn't as it was.

Glass half full, this is kind of the best case scenario. He went off, made a fortune, got in some trouble and came back to a bigger and better conference. He doesn’t need to leave for money, he’s set. I don’t blame young guys for wanting to secure their futures. Sean has done that. He turned down more money to take our job. The best jobs are the ones you love.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Glass half full, this is kind of the best case scenario. He went off, made a fortune, got in some trouble and came back to a bigger and better conference. He doesn’t need to leave for money, he’s set. I don’t blame young guys for wanting to secure their futures. Sean has done that. He turned down more money to take our job. The best jobs are the ones you love.

Totally agree. I think we have Miller for the long haul. Fingers crossed.

[IM4X]

A key point to amplify here, based on your accurate assessment of Jay understanding that he could build his own dreams at Nova: he BEGAN WITH a Big East association when it came to taking the Nova job. Xavier lost Matta and Miller, in part, due to Xavier's affiliation with the A10. it's not to suggest that we can match crazy money or that certain jobs simply appeal to certain coaches (e.g. Mack), but the point is that we no longer have that problem.

More to the point - to your point - Miller now both "gets it" and he is back in the conference he grew up in as a player, albeit with a different cast of characters. If he can put up with the current state of things - and I truly believe he loves coaching that much - then we should enjoy having Sean for a while.

Yes… and good point about the BEast association. I do think Miller has a much smaller ego than Mack. Had Miller been at X during the Mack years (when was in the Big East), he very likely may have stayed at X. I do believe he honestly felt bad about leaving X and it was a hard decision. Not so much for Mack.

Did you notice the comment Mack made on Twitter about Wright and Nova. So obvious he is making a play to let the Nova administration (and Jay) know he would be interested in the job if things don’t work out with Jay’s hand picked successor. Look at what he says about Jay and Nova’s culture. Such a kiss ass now that he needs a job and so quick to again unnecessarily make X look inferior. I am Soooooooooooo it was very clear to our administration that Miller was our guy ans not Mack . So much classier and genuine. I would have been sick in my stomach if he was being approached about the job and now I feel so ecstatic and hopeful about better days ahead.

https://mobile.twitter.com/CoachChrisMack/status/1517176982462767105

[IM4X]

Glass half full, this is kind of the best case scenario. He went off, made a fortune, got in some trouble and came back to a bigger and better conference. He doesn’t need to leave for money, he’s set. I don’t blame young guys for wanting to secure their futures. Sean has done that. He turned down more money to take our job. The best jobs are the ones you love.

This statement works for Miller. Not so much for Mack who had been at X longer- was already in a great conference was making good money and even offered a bump to stay. It was even his alma mater. Screw him. He deserved to crash and burn. If I were Christopher, I would not even take his phone call.

I mean, I know I should not be so upset, since I wanted him out and anyway - It all looks to be working out in the end, but I just don’t want that prickly, “throw everyone under the bus to make himself look good” dude back on campus in any capacity. Let me just say that I am not at all surprised the players at Louisville turned on him and wanted him out.

[paulxu]

Just a guess, but unless Mack was very irresponsible with his money, he doesn't really "need" a job.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yes… and good point about the BEast association. I do think Miller has a much smaller ego than Mack. Had Miller been at X during the Mack years (when was in the Big East), he very likely may have stayed at X. I do believe he honestly felt bad about leaving X and it was a hard decision. Not so much for Mack.

Did you notice the comment Mack made on Twitter about Wright and Nova. So obvious he is making a play to let the Nova administration (and Jay) know he would be interested in the job if things don’t work out with Jay’s hand picked successor. Look at what he says about Jay and Nova’s culture. Such a kiss ass now that he needs a job and so quick to again unnecessarily make X look inferior. I am Soooooooooooo it was very clear to our administration that Miller was our guy ans not Mack . So much classier and genuine. I would have been sick in my stomach if he was being approached about the job and now I feel so ecstatic and hopeful about better days ahead.

https://mobile.twitter.com/CoachChrisMack/status/1517176982462767105

I think your reaching big time with Mack's comments. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he never wants to coach again. I could see it either way. I don't see his tweet as anything other than congratulating a former BE coach.

[Xville]

Nm

[Xville]

Yes… and good point about the BEast association. I do think Miller has a much smaller ego than Mack. Had Miller been at X during the Mack years (when was in the Big East), he very likely may have stayed at X. I do believe he honestly felt bad about leaving X and it was a hard decision. Not so much for Mack.

Did you notice the comment Mack made on Twitter about Wright and Nova. So obvious he is making a play to let the Nova administration (and Jay) know he would be interested in the job if things don’t work out with Jay’s hand picked successor. Look at what he says about Jay and Nova’s culture. Such a kiss ass now that he needs a job and so quick to again unnecessarily make X look inferior. I am Soooooooooooo it was very clear to our administration that Miller was our guy ans not Mack . So much classier and genuine. I would have been sick in my stomach if he was being approached about the job and now I feel so ecstatic and hopeful about better days ahead.

https://mobile.twitter.com/CoachChrisMack/status/1517176982462767105

Wow I’m not a mack fan but talk about a jump to conclusions mat. Geezus.

[xeus]

Did you notice the comment Mack made on Twitter about Wright and Nova. So obvious he is making a play to let the Nova administration (and Jay) know he would be interested in the job if things don’t work out with Jay’s hand picked successor. Look at what he says about Jay and Nova’s culture. Such a kiss ass now that he needs a job and so quick to again unnecessarily make X look inferior. I am Soooooooooooo it was very clear to our administration that Miller was our guy ans not Mack . So much classier and genuine. I would have been sick in my stomach if he was being approached about the job and now I feel so ecstatic and hopeful about better days ahead.

https://mobile.twitter.com/CoachChrisMack/status/1517176982462767105

Wow. Quite a leap there pal. Reads pretty clearly to me as a classy and sincere congrats. BTW, if Chris were interested in the Nova job (which he isn’t) he wouldn’t go to Twitter to make that interest known.

[IM4X]

I think your reaching big time with Mack's comments. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he never wants to coach again. I could see it either way. I don't see his tweet as anything other than congratulating a former BE coach.

You know, I may have overstated it a bit in saying it is obvious he is making a move for the job. I should have said, “It sure looks to me like he is making it clear he is interest in the Nova Job.” That is my opinion.

Though, I do think he could have said, “Jay Wright has helped create one of the greatest cultures in basketball” instead of say, “No one in college basketball had a culture like Nova.” It would still get the point across without feeling like a he is making a slight dig any other school (including X). It is just my opinion, but I think he did that on purpose.

[JEHARDI]

You know, I may have overstated it a bit in saying it is obvious he is making a move for the job. I should have said, “It sure looks to me like he is making it clear he is interest in the Nova Job.” That is my opinion.

Though, I do think he could have said, “Jay Wright has helped create one of the greatest cultures in basketball” instead of say, “No one in college basketball had a culture like Nova.” It would still get the point across without feeling like a he is making a slight dig any other school (including X). It is just my opinion, but I think he did that on purpose.

Not sure I get your point. The head coach is responsible for the culture of their program, so, that would be him admitting he was no match for Jay…. Which is obvious but also not exactly selling yourself for the job.

[sirthought]

Yeah I think Jay Wright had a lot of things fall his way towards "building it right."

An assistant under Rollie when the Big East was defining what college hoops could be, and then they won the championship.
Was able to take the place of his mentor at a program that now had a history, but their expectations maybe weren't as high as they are now.
While competitive in the old Big East, VU really was able to capitalize on their strengths in the new Big East, recruiting from a place of prominence with a league that has history, and he was now set to dominate with all the benefits. FS1, a market that was behind them, and to his total credit...he was liked by everyone.

[IM4X]

Not sure I get your point. The head coach is responsible for the culture of their program, so, that would be him admitting he was no match for Jay…. Which is obvious but also not exactly selling yourself for the job.

The head coach is certainly a big part of the basketball programs culture. No question that the better the coach the better a program’s culture will be (I will get back to this in a bit). The team is also responsible for part of the culture. The previous coaches and teams are partly responsible, too. The current and previous administration are partly responsible. The current and previous students are partly responsible. The alumni and fans are also partly responsible for culture. There are many parts at a university that make up the culture. Jay Wright is one of the all-time great coaches in college basketball and therefore a huge part of their culture. He took a very good, existing culture at Nova and made it even better.

My point is that I believe (i.e. it is my personal opinion) that Mack worded it this way to suggest that the fans and all support for Wright and basketball program there has always been exceptional which played into his success. While I do believe Mack is acknowledging Wright as being one of the best, I just think his wording comes across sounding like “Jay was at a place that allowed him to be that good.” As if he were saying “Had I had that best culture where I was coaching (X, Louisville), who knows what would could have been. I see it as a slight dig. Others can say I am reaching. I don’t think so. I think he would have stated that “Jay made the culture at Nova second to none.”

The truth is that the culture at Nova os so good much in part to Jay for being one of the smartest, nicest, classiest coaches with an incredible ability to connect with his players and with fans and because he chose to stick around and use all of his skills and wonderful traits to help take an already good Nova program and university to new heights. When you are an all around special person and that stuff rubs off onto those around you ((I’m sure Jay would mention Rollie Masamino as such a person). We have seen a similar situation Gonzaga and Mark Few.

You are never going to improve culture as a coach at a program when you come across prickly during press conferences or when you throw your coaches and players under the bus or when you act like you are better than others or when you secretly record your assitant during a meeting with him. That all hurts a culture. Jay Wright would never do any of those things. Jay was a winner on and off the court. He can look in the mirror today and say (without hesitation), “You are a good guy who did things the Wright way and the right way.”