The UConn men’s basketball program is making headlines. College basketball insider Adam Zagoria reported a growing rumor that Dan Hurley is considering adding Mike Nardi, a former Villanova interim coach, to the Huskies’ staff, fresh off consecutive NCAA championships in 2023 and 2024.
The potential addition of Nardi could further solidify UConn’s position as a powerhouse in college basketball.
Mike Nardi’s Journeys From Villanova Star to Coaching Prospect
Nardi was born Jan. 30, 1985, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He had an impressive basketball career as a coach and a player. He is an exceptional athlete at St. Patrick High School, a program known for producing NBA talents like Al Harrington and Kyrie Irving; he further played at Villanova University.
There’s a lot of smoke around Mike Nardi joining the @UConnMBB staff.
Both Nardi and Dan Hurley are from NJ, and Mike would be an instant asset anywhere he joins. https://t.co/9Np5oOZeLV
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 20, 2025
Having gone undrafted in 2007, he played professionally in the Netherlands and Italy, notably with Latina Basket in 2015, before progressing to coaching.
His coaching career started at Villanova, and he progressively rose to the role of interim head coach for the Wildcats. However, earlier this month, Zagoria reported on X that Nardi would not return to Villanova’s staff; since then, there has been speculation about his next move.
Why Nardi Fits UConn’s Vision
Under the tutelage of Dan Hurley, the program has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball. Since taking the helm of affairs as head coach earlier in 2018, He has turned the program into a ceaseless contender.
In the 2023–24 season, he led the Huskies to a 37-win record, a Big East regular season title, a Big East tournament championship, and a number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, which is the first in the program’s history.
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The season comes to an end in UConn’s second consecutive national championship, which binds Hurley’s status as one of the game’s elite coaches. His recognitions include the 2024 Naismith College Coach of the Year and the Sporting News National Coach of the Year Award.
The speculation of Mike Nardi joining UConn’s men’s basketball staff has sparked excitement among fans, highlighting the program’s relentless ambition under Hurley’s leadership.
With a mutual commitment to excellence and UConn’s position as college basketball’s top program, this projected partnership could be all UConn needs as they prepare for the next season.
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