Jay Wright has no interest in becoming the New York Knicks’ next head coach, a decision that has brought relief to one of his former players. Wright, who led Villanova to two national championships, four Final Fours, and 642 wins, was considered a potential candidate for the Knicks’ vacancy after Tom Thibodeau’s firing. The intrigue was heightened by the presence of three former Wildcats—Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart—on the Knicks’ roster.
However, Wright has confirmed his retirement from coaching, preferring to continue as a studio analyst for CBS. At 63, and having spent nearly 40 years as a college coach, including 28 at Hofstra and Villanova, his decision is unsurprising. Hart, who won a national championship under Wright in 2016 and earned first-team All-America and Big East Player of the Year honors, expressed his relief with a simple, “Man, thank you. Stay retired!”
Wright’s relationship with Knicks president Leon Rose is reportedly strong, but Rose is aware of Wright’s preference to remain retired. The Knicks are now focusing their search on experienced NBA head coaches, with Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks expected to be a target for an interview, though the Houston Rockets have declined a similar request for Ime Udoka.