Jay Wright Reveals Talks on Knicks HC Opening, Says Mike Brown Was 'Perfect' for NBA Title Run

There is plenty of Villanova influence on the New York Knicks already, but team president Leon Rose at least considered bringing in former Wildcats head coach Jay Wright as well.

But Wright wasn't interested in coming out of retirement.

"I did talk to Leon, we're good friends," Wright revealed Monday on The Rich Eisen Show (16-minute mark). "And it was really simple. We're both Philly area guys, we were going to meet at the Jersey shore where we all go hide out. And I just said, 'I don't want to waste your time, I know I'm done.'"

He also said Mike Brown "was perfect for this team because it's an older team, a mature team, that just needed to figure out a way to gel."

Wright coached Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart during their collegiate careers at Villanova. The trio of playmakers won a national title together in 2016, and Brunson and Bridges were part of the 2018 team that also cut down the nets.

"I don't know if I would have been good for those three at this point," Wright said. "They put up with enough from me. They were with me for four years. They took a lot from me."

It's hard to argue with the selection of Brown.

All the longtime coach did in his first season as the leader of the Knicks was guide the franchise to its first championship in 53 years. It wasn't just any championship run either, as New York lost a grand total of three games during the entire postseason.

Knicks-Spurs Highlights

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It defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals with all four of its victories coming via comeback. The Knicks were the more poised team in crunch time every single time, which was surely a testament to Brown's coaching and leadership.

Of course, having Brunson, who won the NBA Finals MVP, as the leader on the court helps as well.

Wright knows that better than most from their time at Villanova together, but he wasn't ready to return to the world of coaching with the Knicks.