Villanova Coaching Search: Prepare for a Holding Pattern

While the men’s college basketball coaching carousel picks up steam, Villanova continues to stand pat with little more than rumors leaking out to the fanbase.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats’ faithful, especially anyone fervently refreshing their browsers for any tidbit on who Villanova might choose to replace Kyle Neptune, news might continue at a snail’s pace in the coming days. That’s because the Wildcats reportedly want to pursue a head coach still active in the tournament (at least as of Thursday, March 20), likely meaning one of UCLA’s Mick Cronin, Maryland’s Kevin Willard and New Mexico’s Richard Pitino… and all three of those programs advanced to the Round of 32, kicking the can for any prospective negotiations further down the line.

No. 7 seed UCLA throttled Utah State 72-47 on March 20; Maryland, a No. 4 seed, silenced Grand Canyon 81-49 despite all the chatter surrounding Willard, while No. 10 seed New Mexico upset Marquette 75-66.

UCLA will return to action against Tennessee at 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, while the Lobos and Terrapins won’t tip off until Sunday night. If any of those teams advance (Maryland alone enters their match up as the favorite), Villanova and their fans could remain in limbo through the Sweet Sixteen, set to begin on Thursday, March 29, unless some sort of handshake agreement materializes before that date.

Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser, a recent name floated in discussions surrounding the Wildcats, lost to UConn in the Round of 64, so movement on that front could take place sooner than later.

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