After seven years of consistent performances, including back-to-back national championships, Dan Hurley and UConn faltered in the 2025 NCAA tournament. They lost to eventual champions Florida in the second round of this year’s tournament.
Dan Hurley made moves this offseason to avoid a repeat of last season. He managed to retain some of his biggest stars and ushered in the nation’s ninth recruiting class. His additions weren’t limited to the roster alone; he also added a new coaching staff.
Mike Nardi leaves Villanova for UConn.
Mike Nardi is a former Villanova player and coach. He played for the Wildcats for four years, starting 122 games for Jay Wright from 2003 to ’07. He has also spent the past 10 seasons on the Wildcats’ staff, first under Wright and more recently under Kyle Neptune.
Nardi has now been appointed as assistant coach at UConn.
MORE UCONN NEWS: UConn is hiring Mike Nardi as an assistant coach, sources told ESPN. Nardi, who started 122 games for Jay Wright as a player, has spent the last eight seasons on Villanova’s staff — including the 2018 national title team under Wright. Strong hire for Dan Hurley. pic.twitter.com/m562NdHAfn
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 29, 2025
He will replace longtime assistant Tom Moore, who is expected to switch to general manager and handle transfer portal recruiting, name, image, and likeness, etc.
“I’m thrilled to add a bright and talented coach like Mike Nardi to our staff here at UConn,” head coach Dan Hurley said in a statement. “Mike has been a part of winning under the brightest lights and on the biggest stages as both a player and as a coach. He will bring a unique perspective to help us pursue our championship goals, and I can’t wait for him to start working with our players and coaches.”
Nardi will join Hurley’s crew of assistants, which includes associate head coach Kimani Young and assistant Luke Murray. Young is entering his eighth season, while Murray is entering his fifth.
Nardi started his coaching career as Jay Wright’s Director of Student-Athlete Development ahead of the 2015-16 season. He then became the Video Coordinator the following season and Director of Basketball Operations the next before transitioning into an assistant coaching role in 2019-20.
Nardi’s time with Villanova culminated in two national championships (2016 and 2018), three Final Fours, five Big East regular-season championships, and five Big East Tournament titles.
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He also played a role in recruiting and/or developing future NBA stars, such as New York Knicks Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Minnesota Timberwolves Donte DiVincenzo.
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