ESPN reported that Fordham men’s basketball Head Coach Kyle Neptune is “likely to take over” at Villanova University for longtime Head Coach Jay Wright. Neptune was hired by Fordham in March last year after 10 seasons as a video coordinator and assistant coach for the Wildcats.

The news of Neptune’s possible return to Villanova came alongside news of Wright’s retirement in a report released earlier this evening. In 21 seasons with the Wildcats, Wright led 16 different teams to the NCAA Tournament. As an assistant with the team from 2013 to 2021, Neptune was present for both of the program’s national championship runs in 2016 and 2018.

On March 30, 2021, Fordham Athletics announced that the university hired Neptune as the team’s head coach, replacing Jeff Neubauer after five straight losing seasons. In his first year as head coach, Neptune led the Rams to a 16-16 overall record and quarterfinal berth in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. It was the deepest postseason run the team had made since 2007.

Shortly after Neptune took over at Fordham, six players transferred from other schools to play for the program. His impact on recruiting at Rose Hill was immediate. In October, Neptune strengthened the class of 2026 as well, securing local talent and four-star recruit Will Richardson out of Bergen Catholic High School. 

Neptune and Fordham Athletics have declined to comment at this time.

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