Jay Wright Isn't Interested in Knicks HC Job, Plans to Stay Retired Amid NBA Rumors

There was some speculation that a legendary college coach was in the mix for the New York Knicks' vacant head coaching job, but that won't be the case.

Jay Wright, who last coached at Villanova in 2022, told Hoops HQ's Seth Davis that he informed the Knicks he's not interested in taking over for Tom Thibodeau and will stay retired.

The New York Post's Stefan Bondy and SNY's Ian Begley first reported Wright informed the Knicks he wasn't looking to make the move to the NBA.

Wright became a college basketball legend at Villanova, leading the Wildcats to eight Big East regular season championships, five Big East tournament championships and a pair of national championships from 2001 to 2022. Under Wright, Villanova missed the NCAA tournament just four times.

After the Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau, Wright quickly seemed like a realistic candidate both because of his past success and his experience leading several members of the current roster.

Last summer, New York landed Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, and the team became known as the "Nova Knicks" since Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo were all teammates at Villanova.

While DiVincenzo was eventually dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the core of the Nova Knicks is still intact with Brunson, Hart and Bridges. With Wright coaching and those players leading the way, Villanova won a title in 2016. The Wildcats also won the national championship in 2018, though that one came without Hart, who was in the NBA.

Given Wright's history with several players on the roster, it seemed fitting for him to take over as head coach.

While it likely would be fun for Wright to be back on the sideline, it seems he's fine enjoying his retirement and will let another coach take over in New York.