Why Villanova’s Jay Wright took a pass on Knicks interview
By Zach Braziller
May 8, 2018 | 4:22pm
Jay WrightGetty Images
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Jay Wright gave the Knicks the Seinfeld “it’s not you, it’s me” line.
When the Villanova coach’s agent, Carl Hirsch, told him the Knicks had expressed interest in talking to him about their then-vacant head-coaching position, Wright was flattered. However, he told his agent to tell the Knicks thanks, but no thanks.
“It’s not that you’re not interested, I just don’t want to leave,” Wright told The Post on Tuesday. “It’s the Knicks. You love the Garden, you love New York City, you love the Knicks. I just know I don’t want to leave Villanova.”
“I love my job,” added the 56-year-old Wright, who was at the annual BTIG Charity Day in Manhattan, where athletes and celebrities acted as guest stock traders taking calls from clients to raise money for different charities.
“You would love that opportunity, that challenge, especially in New York, especially the Knicks, but you have to leave your job, and I love my job.”
It’s hard to blame him. While the Knicks have won one playoff series in the last 18 years and are coming off four consecutive 50-loss seasons, Villanova has won two of the last three national championships — emerging recently as one of the premier programs in the country behind the even-keeled Wright, who is coming off his 17th season with the Wildcats. The Knicks ended up hiring former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale after an exhaustive search.
The new recruits include a three-man group led by five-star point guard Jahvon Quinerly of New Jersey. And on Tuesday morning, Albany sharpshooter Joe Cremo, arguably the top grad transfer on the market, announced his decision to use his last year of eligibility at Villanova.
Wright would not completely rule out going to the NBA one day. The one-time Hofstra coach said he has spoken to the 76ers in the past about their head-coaching position, but right now he can’t see himself leaving Villanova.
It may be his last coaching job.
“I could [see it],” Wright said with his trademark style. “It’s not that I don’t want that challenge, or those [NBA] teams [that have expressed interest]. I love what I have. I don’t want to mess with happy.”
By Zach Braziller
May 8, 2018 | 4:22pm
Jay WrightGetty Images
MORE ON:
NEW YORK KNICKS
Pat Riley had a pivotal role in getting Fizdale to Knicks
How David Fizdale turned Marc Gasol feud into selling point
Knicks unwrap David Fizdale, who's going to work
David Fizdale inspired Knicks forward by making him angry
Jay Wright gave the Knicks the Seinfeld “it’s not you, it’s me” line.
When the Villanova coach’s agent, Carl Hirsch, told him the Knicks had expressed interest in talking to him about their then-vacant head-coaching position, Wright was flattered. However, he told his agent to tell the Knicks thanks, but no thanks.
“It’s not that you’re not interested, I just don’t want to leave,” Wright told The Post on Tuesday. “It’s the Knicks. You love the Garden, you love New York City, you love the Knicks. I just know I don’t want to leave Villanova.”
“I love my job,” added the 56-year-old Wright, who was at the annual BTIG Charity Day in Manhattan, where athletes and celebrities acted as guest stock traders taking calls from clients to raise money for different charities.
“You would love that opportunity, that challenge, especially in New York, especially the Knicks, but you have to leave your job, and I love my job.”
It’s hard to blame him. While the Knicks have won one playoff series in the last 18 years and are coming off four consecutive 50-loss seasons, Villanova has won two of the last three national championships — emerging recently as one of the premier programs in the country behind the even-keeled Wright, who is coming off his 17th season with the Wildcats. The Knicks ended up hiring former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale after an exhaustive search.
The new recruits include a three-man group led by five-star point guard Jahvon Quinerly of New Jersey. And on Tuesday morning, Albany sharpshooter Joe Cremo, arguably the top grad transfer on the market, announced his decision to use his last year of eligibility at Villanova.
Wright would not completely rule out going to the NBA one day. The one-time Hofstra coach said he has spoken to the 76ers in the past about their head-coaching position, but right now he can’t see himself leaving Villanova.
It may be his last coaching job.
“I could [see it],” Wright said with his trademark style. “It’s not that I don’t want that challenge, or those [NBA] teams [that have expressed interest]. I love what I have. I don’t want to mess with happy.”
