• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Jay Wright, 5th-Highest-Paid Coach, Ends Legendary Career

  • The two-time Coach of the Year won national titles with Villanova in 2016 and 2018.
  • Wright has coached nine current NBA players.
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Another legendary college basketball coach has called it a career, following in the footsteps of Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski.

On Wednesday, Jay Wright announced he is retiring after 21 seasons at the helm of Villanova.

The 60-year-old coached Hofstra from 1994 to 2001 before coming over to the Wildcats. Villanova’s remarkable 2005-06 season earned Wright his first of two Naismith Coach of the Year honors — but most of his accomplishments came late in his career.

  • Wright led Villanova to two national championships, four Final Fours, eight Big East regular-season titles, and five Big East tournament titles.
  • The Wildcats have been an NCAA men’s tournament staple, going 20-4 since 2016 — the most wins of any team in the country over that span.
  • He coached nine current NBA players, including Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and Kyle Lowry.
  • Wright was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.

With his $6.2 million salary, Wright was the nation’s fifth-highest-paid coach in his final season. His pay with the Wildcats increased several years ago after UCLA reportedly offered to double his wages, which were less than $4 million per season.

With Wright stepping away, Fordham head coach Kyle Neptune has been named Villanova’s next head coach.

Neptune was an assistant on Wright’s staff from 2013 to 2021 — which means he understands better than most the legacy he’s charged with maintaining.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley Says TNT Sports ‘Just Sucks.’ Its CEO Doesn’t Mind

Barkley recently criticized TNT’s handling of “Inside the NBA.”
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Rayan Rupert (21) shoots a jump shot during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) at Moda Center.

Trail Blazers Sale and Ownership Group Finalized, Now Awaiting NBA Approval

Dundon’s ownership group also includes the founders of Panda Express.
Kawhi Leonard

A Timeline of the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration Saga

Investigations into the Clippers’ business dealings with Leonard date back years.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley says she would have made the NBA leap “for women.”
Andy Reid
August 21, 2025

Andy Reid Office Shooting Went Unreported for a Year

Reid was inside at the time but wasn’t injured.
Inter Miami bench
August 21, 2025

Inter Miami Post-Red Card Phone Coaching May Have Been Legal

Javier Mascherano appeared to continue coaching through a call from the stands.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
August 1, 2025

Belichick Bump Creating Record UNC Ticket Prices

The cost of seeing the NFL legend’s college coaching debut is soaring.
July 28, 2025

Deion Sanders Had Bladder Removed Due to Cancer, Is Ready for Season

Sanders had his bladder removed in May.
July 28, 2025

Bulls Extend Billy Donovan After Rejecting Knicks Advances

The Bulls finished 39–43 for the second straight season.
Mike Brown
July 2, 2025

Knicks Land on Mike Brown After Monthlong Coach Search: Reports

New York still owes Tom Thibodeau $30 million.