Two-time NCAA Division I college champion coach of the Villanova Wildcats, Jerold Taylor “Jay” Wright Jr., announced his retirement one week ago, citing that he had lost his “edge” following another Final Four appearance.
“I started to feel like I didn’t have the edge that I’ve always had,“ said Wright. It ”always came natural to me. So I started evaluating. I would never have to think about anything. I started to think like, I have to get myself fired up here. We couldn’t ask the players, you’ve got to give 100 percent and I’m giving 70 percent. I just knew it was the right time.”
The 60-year-old leaves with an overall coaching record of 642–282 and an impressive winning percentage at Villanova of .725, with a record of 520–197.
“Simply a remarkable career,” said former Villanova Director of Athletics Vince Nicastro, who hired Wright. “Will be regarded as one of the best coaches in college basketball history ... and even better person. Has won with integrity, class, and grace. And has served as a great role model for his players and colleagues.”
Wright began his coaching career after graduating from Bucknell in 1983, as an assistant at Division III University of Rochester. He then moved to Division I Drexel University in 1986.
Wright would become an assistant at Villanova, under head coach Rolllie Massimino, from 1987 to 1992, and followed Massimino to UNLV.
In 1994, Wright would take the reigns at Hofstra University, which had underachieved for over a decade, leading the program to prominence with the America East Conference championships in 2000 and 2001, and was named America East Coach of the year twice in those two seasons.
With a record of 72–22, the team made two NCAA Tournament appearances, as Wright was also honored as Eastern Basketball’s Coach of the year in 1999–2000.
That success led Wright back to Villanova as the eighth coach in the program’s 81-year history in March 2001.
Villanova made three NIT appearances kicking off Wright’s reign, followed by his first Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2004–05.
The following season, Villanova made the Elite Eight for the first time since 1988, earning Wright National Coach of the Year from CBS/Chevrolet, the Naismith College Coach of the Year (2006, 2016), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Coach of the Year, and the Big East Coach of the Year (2006, 2009, 2014–2016, 2019).
In 2008, Villanova advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth time in five years, losing to the eventual champions, North Carolina, at the Final Four.
Wright’s success continued at Villanova before breaking through to win his first NCAA National Championship in 2016, having last made the final four in 2009.
Villanova defeated Oklahoma 91–51 in the Final Four, before winning the title game over North Carolina, 77–74, on a last-second shot by Kris Jenkins.
In 2018, Wright would win his second National title, with Villanova defeating Kansas in the Final Four, followed by a victory over Michigan, 79–62, in the Championship game.
“I’ve always felt like it’s a run. And when you’re on top of it and you’re grinding and if you’ve got the edge in your head, you do it,” said Wright.
In 2021, Wright was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Villanova again reached the Final Four this year, but the Wildcats fell to Kansas 81–65.
“It’s time for us to enter a new era of Villanova basketball,” stated Wright. “After 35 years in coaching, I am proud and excited to hand over the reins to Villanova’s next coach. I am excited to remain a part of Villanova and look forward to working with [Villanova] and the rest of the leadership team.”
