When the Knicks made the decision to fire Tom Thibodeau one of the leading candidates was former Villanova coach Jay Wright.
Not only because New York cornered the market on a lot of his former players, but also because of Wright’s close relationship with team president Leon Rose.
However, according to Hoops HQ’s Seth Davis, there won’t be any NBA reunion between Wright, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.
“Jay Wright has confirmed to me that he has informed the Knicks that he is not interested in any coaching position and plans to remain retired,” Davis reported.
BREAKING: Jay Wright has confirmed to me that he has informed the Knicks that he is not interested in any coaching position and plans to remain retired.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) June 7, 2025
Wright retired from coaching the Wildcats in 2022 after two national championships, four Final Four appearances and a pair of Naismith Coach of the Year Awards.
Many were shocked at the time that he decided to walk away. But the 63-year-old is reportedly a happy retiree and got out of college hoops at the exact right time for him.
Wright remains around the game as a basketball analyst for CBS and TNT come tournament time after becoming one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport towards the end of his Villanova tenure.
His backing out leaves New York with several options including the recently fired Michael Malone, Taylor Jenkins and Mike Budenholzer. Although in recent days current coaches like Jason Kidd (Mavericks) and Ime Udoka (Rockets) have found themselves as dark horse candidates in Knicks rumors.
Thibodeau had easily had the most successful tenure in NY since at least the Mike Woodson era. Although that wasn’t enough to save his job in the eyes of owner James Dolan.
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