Report: Villanova Never Offered Richard Pitino a Contract

The Xavier Musketeers snapped former New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino off the board in the late hours of Tuesday, March 25, a shocking move after rumors that his discussions with Villanova were picking up steam.

Instead, per a report from John Fanta of NBC Sports and Fox College Hoops, the Wildcats never so much as extended Pitino an offer. That’s not to say they didn’t negotiate with Pitino, but things never got serious.

It’s the latest in the puzzling saga of Villanova’s attempts to find a head coach to replace Kyle Neptune.

Without so much as a whisper since the initial reports came out of Villanova targeting names like Northwestern’s Chris Collins or UCLA’s Mick Cronin, it seems through process of elimination that the Wildcats’ administration wants Maryland head man Kevin Willard to fill the vacancy.

That’s a risky situation, however, as Willard’s theatrics in recent weeks show. First he maneuvered to help chase Maryland athletic director Damon Evans out of town, then he appeared to reaffirm his commitment to the Terrapins during a March 25 radio spot… but remained noncommittal, saying “as of right now I’m staying.”

If Villanova wants to wait for Willard’s season with the Terrapins to end, they might end up shooting themselves in the foot. Now Pitino, one of the best candidates remaining on the board, will coach for a Big East rival instead.

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