The Villanova Wildcats find themselves at a critical crossroads following the dismissal of head coach Kyle Neptune on March 15. After three underwhelming seasons that saw the program fail to make a single NCAA Tournament appearance, the storied basketball powerhouse is seeking new leadership to restore its former glory.
With the legacy of Jay Wright still casting a long shadow over the Main Line, Villanova’s administration faces tremendous pressure to make the right hire. The ideal candidate must balance championship expectations with the program’s rich traditions while navigating the ever-changing landscape of college basketball.
Villanova’s Top 5 Potential Candidates
5. Ryan Odom
He stands out as a compelling candidate to take the reins at Villanova. The current VCU head coach has basketball in his blood as the son of coaching legend Dave Odom. His resume sparkles with achievement, including orchestrating UMBC’s historic upset over Virginia as a 16-seed in 2018 and transforming multiple programs.
Odom’s recent success at VCU, where he captured the Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship with an impressive 25-5 record, demonstrates his ability to build winning cultures. His coaching philosophy emphasizes player development and tactical innovation, qualities that would serve Villanova well in its quest to return to national prominence.
4. Richard Pitino
Pitino brings championship pedigree and proven rebuilding expertise to the table. Currently, revitalizing New Mexico’s program, Pitino has demonstrated an ability to maximize talent and navigate the complex terrain of modern college basketball with remarkable savvy and determination.
Our leader! Our coach! @LoboCoachPitino is the 2025 @MountainWest Coach of the Year! #505SVF | #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/WmhInG93yo
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) March 11, 2025
At Minnesota, Pitino secured an NIT Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, while his work at New Mexico culminated in a Mountain West Tournament victory and Coach of the Year honors. His basketball lineage and personal track record of program resurrection make him an intriguing option for the Wildcats.
3. Chris Collins
Collins represents a fascinating blend of blue blood pedigree and program-building experience. As the architect behind Northwestern’s historic breakthrough to their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017, Collins has proven he can overcome significant institutional challenges to achieve success.
The former Duke assistant and son of NBA coach Doug Collins has now guided Northwestern to three tournament appearances, all under his watch. His connections to Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching tree and experience transforming a historically underachieving program mirror the challenge Villanova now faces in its post-Wright era.
2. Kevin Willard
His track record of revitalizing programs makes him a natural fit for Villanova’s current predicament. At Seton Hall, Willard engineered a remarkable turnaround that culminated in a Big East Tournament Championship and regular-season title, demonstrating intimate knowledge of the conference Villanova calls home.
Now at Maryland, where he made history as the first coach to secure 20 wins, a national ranking and an NCAA Tournament berth in his debut season. Willard’s ability to hit the ground running would appeal to a Villanova program eager for immediate results after three disappointing seasons.
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1. Alan Huss
Huss represents the exciting “up and comer” option that could energize the Villanova faithful. In just two seasons at High Point, Huss has orchestrated back-to-back Big South Regular Season championships while twice earning Coach of the Year honors, establishing himself as one of college basketball’s brightest young minds.
A former Creighton player and assistant coach, Huss understands the unique challenges and expectations of basketball-centric Catholic universities. His remarkable 27-9 record in his first season at High Point showcases an ability to maximize talent quickly, exactly what Villanova needs after the Neptune era.
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