Villanova University has fired men's basketball coach Kyle Neptune after three disappointing seasons, the school announced on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Assistant coach Mike Nardi will take over as interim head coach as the Wildcats search for Neptune's successor.
Neptune, who succeeded Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright upon his retirement, never managed to guide the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament since taking the helm. His overall record at Villanova stands at 54-47, with the Wildcats finishing the season at 19-14 amid increased expectations and past glories.
During Neptune’s tenure, Villanova battled inconsistency, experiencing highs with victories over notable opponents such as Connecticut and St. John’s. Yet, the season concluded on shaky ground following the Wildcats' 17-point loss to UConn on March 13, 2025, during the Big East Conference Tournament quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden, sealing their fate of missing the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year.
Eric Roedl, the current athletic director at Villanova, who was hired earlier this season, made the decision to relieve Neptune of his duties. "Since coming to Villanova, I have been struck by Kyle’s tireless work ethic and his dedication to the student-athletes he served," Roedl stated. "We are grateful to Kyle for his long service to Villanova and his mentorship to the many outstanding young men he has coached."
Neptune, 40, originally came to Villanova back in 2008, first serving as video coordinator and later as an assistant coach under Wright from 2013 until 2021. He briefly departed for the head coach position at Fordham, where he finished with a 16-16 record, before returning to take over for one of college basketball’s greats. Jay Wright's tenure at Villanova was marked by extraordinary success, including two national championships, as well as several Final Four appearances, leading to remarkably high expectations for his successor.
The Wildcats, who once thrived under Wright's leadership, have faltered, missing the NCAA Tournament three times, marking their first such lapse since the early 2000s during Wright’s initial years. Villanova’s average of 263 wins and 53 losses under Wright during his last nine seasons set the bar significantly higher for Neptune, who couldn’t replicate the same success.
Neptune's first season commenced with struggles, as the Wildcats began with just two wins against five losses, including unexpected defeats against Temple and Portland. Villanova ended the initial campaign at .500 with a 17-17 record. Following this underwhelming opener, the team continued to show inconsistent performances, culminating with losses to rival teams like Penn and Saint Joseph's.
Even as the Wildcats found some footing during February with strong performances, they finished the 2023-24 season below expectations, which continued to intensify calls for change. Entering the 2024-25 season, conceivably pivotal for Neptune, Villanova stumbled early, losing to Columbia at home, and starting with four defeats across their first seven games, including another dismal stretch of 1-5. With much talent, highlighted by the nation’s leading scorer Eric Dixon, the potential was there for success, but the execution faltered repeatedly.
Expectations are now set for Roedl and Villanova to target experienced candidates to steer the program back on track. Speculations around potential successors have emerged, with Northwestern's Chris Collins, Drake’s Ben McCollum, New Mexico's Richard Pitino, and others being mentioned as fitting contenders. The task is complicated due to the program's current standing, as it must reunite the culture and consistency once synonymous with Villanova basketball.
Neptune's tenure, though marked with some positives like victories against ranked teams, has been overshadowed by key losses and missed milestones. The Wildcats are left to ponder the future amid the realization of the high stakes involved at this iconic basketball institution. With talent still present on the roster, perhaps the upcoming College Basketball Crown tournament could serve as both a platform for Interim Coach Nardi to prove leadership and as a potential showcase for Villanova's future recruits as the search for stability continues.
Villanova now faces the challenge of reestablishing itself as one of the preeminent teams not just within the Big East but also on the national stage, holding onto the legacy left behind by their previous coach. With notable changes underway, the coming weeks will be pivotal as the university looks for fresh leadership to restore its place among college basketball's elite.