Report: Former Villanova coach Jay Wright joining CBS as analyst, to call regular-season games

Jay Wright is jumping behind the microphone. The former Villanova coach is joining CBS as an analyst, according to The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand.

Wright will join CBS’ studio coverage of the Final Four and is also expect to call some regular season games, Marchand reported Thursday. He retired as Villanova head coach in April after 21 years at the helm, leading the Wildcats to national championships in 2016 and 2018. Former Fordham coach and ‘Nova assistant Kyle Neptune took over for Wright after his retirement.

Wright also received interest from ESPN and FOX as a broadcaster, but ultimately chose CBS to be part of coverage of the Final Four, Marchand said.

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During his time at Villanova, Wright totaled a 520-197 record while turning the program into a national powerhouse. The Wildcats won at least a share of eight Big East titles during his tenure, including seven of the last nine. Villanova has also appeared in 16 of the last 17 NCAA Tournaments, and likely would have made another in 2020 if it wasn’t canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

More on Jay Wright’s retirement from Villanova, Kyle Neptune’s ascension to head coach

Neptune worked for Wright from 2013-21 before becoming a first-time head coach at Fordham in the Atlantic 10 last season. Now, he’s back in Villanova — and he received quite the endorsement from Wildcats athletic director Mark Jackson in a press release announcing his hiring.

“When looking for a successor, we wanted a candidate who could navigate the changing landscape of collegiate athletics and keep Villanova in a position of strength — now and in the future,” Jackson said in a statement. “After meeting with several exceptional candidates, we found all those attributes and more in Kyle Neptune. Kyle quickly stood out for his basketball knowledge, recruiting savvy and natural ability to connect with student-athletes and coaches.”

Wright is staying on at Villanova away from the court, though. In the press release, the university announced he’ll serve as a special assistant to the president and help with fundraising, advising and education, among other duties.

Neptune took Fordham to a 16-16 overall record in this season, including an 8-10 record in A-10 action.