With the New York Knicks parting ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau this week, buzz has grown around former Villanova head coach Jay Wright as a potential successor. Wright, who retired from coaching in 2022 after a decorated 21-year stint at Nova, led the Wildcats to two NCAA championships and four Final Four appearances.
The speculation stems from his past ties to Knicks standouts Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart—all key players during ‘Nova’s title runs, fueling the “The Villanova Knicks” mantra. Since stepping down, Wright has shifted into broadcasting as an analyst for CBS and TNT.
His NBA future remains uncertain, but his connection to the Knicks’ core has made him a popular name in coaching circles.
Insider Chatter Stirs Jay Wright-Knicks Rumors — Will He Coach Again?
Following the New York Knicks’ dismissal of head coach Tom Thibodeau, speculation quickly turned toward Jay Wright as a possible replacement.
Wright, a two-time national champion at Villanova, coached current Knicks stars Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart during their college title runs, prompting talk of a potential reunion.
Jay Wright has +1400 odds to be the next Head Coach of the New York Knicks, according to Bovada.
Nova Knicks reunion? 👀 pic.twitter.com/8eQNeaVdvN
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) June 3, 2025
The rumors are so strong, in fact, that sportsbooks are giving Wright +1400 odds to coach New York next season, according to College Basketball Report on X.
From 1994 to 2022, Wright amassed a 642-197 record across stints at Hofstra and Villanova, including a dominant 520-197 run with the Wildcats from 2001 to 2022.
He guided Villanova to national championships in 2016 and 2018, and concluded his career with a Final Four appearance in 2022 before transitioning into broadcasting with CBS Sports and TNT.
Despite the connections and fan intrigue, Wright appears content in retirement. Analyst Jeff Goodman posted on X that he is doubtful Wright will return.
I’ve talked to Jay Wright several times about the possibility of coming out of retirement.
Each time he said he is ecstatic with his life right now and has no interest in coaching again.
It’s also very different coaching guys in college and coaching the same guys in the NBA.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 3, 2025
“I’ve talked to Jay Wright several times about the possibility of coming out of retirement,” insider Jeff Goodman posted. “Each time he said he is ecstatic with his life right now and has no interest in coaching again. It’s also very different coaching guys in college and coaching the same guys in the NBA.”
While Wright’s NBA success is unproven, many believe his coaching pedigree would translate. Still, ESPN analyst Alan Hahn dismissed the idea of a Knicks-Wright pairing.
RELATED: Jay Wright’s Coaching Career: How the Villanova Legend Became One of College Basketball’s Icons
“First of all, he doesn’t have NBA experience,” Hahn said on “Get Up.”
“He was a phenomenal college coach. We know this is a championship coach and a championship human being. I don’t believe Jay Wright is somebody who would be looking to do this job. And I don’t know if the Knicks would be looking for him either.”
Thibodeau leaves behind a 226-174 record, playoff trips in four of five seasons, and consecutive 50-win campaigns—something the Knicks hadn’t achieved since the 1990s.
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