Villanova Men's Basketball
Villanova Fans, Players React to Kyle Neptune’s Dismissal
Villanova moved on from head coach Kyle Neptune on Saturday, March 15 after three straight years without an NCAA Tournament appearance. After inheriting a team that made the Final Four under Jay Wright in 2022, the Wildcats stagnated under Neptune’s guidance, and for a ‘New Blood’ program with legitimate championship aspirations, it simply wasn’t enough.
While longtime Villanova assistant Mike Nardi, who helped the Wildcats to an Elite Eight appearance in 2006 as a player, will take the reins from Neptune immediately as interim head coach — likely to facilitate a Wildcats’ appearance in a postseason invitational like the Crown or NIT — a national coaching search is underway behind athletic director Eric Roedl’s guidance.
Each of the Wildcats’ five starters this season is out of eligibility and they have just one recruit, Dante Allen, on the way in the class of 2025: even without a coaching change, Villanova’s roster would look quite different in a matter of weeks.
With the program at a legitimate crossroads, Wildcats fans, players and alumni displayed a range of emotions at the news of Neptune’s dismissal: empathy for a proud Villanovan who won a pair of national championships as an assistant but just couldn’t put things together as the head man, gallows humor at the program’s quick fall from grace, an eye for what’s next as the coaching search begins… and many shoutouts to student journalism at the Villanovan, where Co-Sports Editor Dylan Johnson first broke the news.
BREAKING: Sources have confirmed to The Villanovan that Kyle Neptune was informed that he is no longer the Villanova head men’s basketball coach. pic.twitter.com/l1zPz7WbBa
— Dylan Johnson (@bydylanjohnson) March 15, 2025
Kris Jenkins, who sank the buzzer-beating three-pointer in Villanova’s 2016 national title, expressed support for Neptune, as did current guard Wooga Poplar, who credited Neptune’s ability as a leader and mentor.
Here’s the full reaction to the Wildcats’ coaching change.
First reported by The Villanovan. https://t.co/AyMMzWqEsu
— Michael Bradley (@DailyHombre) March 15, 2025
It was time. Neptune seems like a very good dude, but taking Villanova after just one year at Fordham wasn’t enough time. Still think he can be a good coach someday, but this was too much, too soon.
Very interested to see which candidates emerge at Villanova. https://t.co/8JGZnkxiSg
— Michael DeRosa (@MDtheDream) March 15, 2025
Current High-Major Openings:
Indiana
Villanova
Virginia
NC State
Iowa
Minnesota— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 15, 2025
Question him as a Coach sure but it’s known to many in and around the program that he was an outstanding man and mentor to the players and people around him.
Genuinely wish him nothing but the best in the future pic.twitter.com/FrkFSVFdRq
— Villanova Report (@NovaReportMBB) March 16, 2025
Only one man could revive what was once the most prestigious Big 5 job… Fran Dunphy
— Jawn Rhawnstein (@jawnrhawnstein) March 16, 2025
Kyle represented Villanova with class & dignity. Never complained. He handled tremendous pressure in a way that few could. He was completely immersed in the team. Every practice was detailed, structured, & demanding. Great respect for him and look forward to his next chapter. https://t.co/C5hZgrdJoa
— Dan Leibovitz (@DL_BIGEAST) March 15, 2025
This “keeping it in the family” thing is just flat-out dumb. And I am not saying that just with Villanova, either.
Just go out and find the best person for the job. https://t.co/JZDsclDiUi
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 15, 2025
Better days ahead ✌🏾‼️
— Kris Jenkins (@Smoove2you_) March 15, 2025
My dawg 🙏🏾‼️ https://t.co/I3kh7TnAFt
— Kris Jenkins (@Smoove2you_) March 15, 2025
This is a pivotal point for the Villanova basketball program, likely the largest in our lifetime. The program made a decision 3 years ago to not have a national HC search, we simply cannot afford another mishap. Let’s get our blueblood program back to where it belongs. Go Cats✌🏼! pic.twitter.com/pfqXZGrzIx
— (Insert Nova’s Next Coach) Burner (@KNeptunesXBurnr) March 15, 2025
Imagine being told 3 years ago today, March 15, 2022, that Villanova would announce the firing of Head Coach Kyle Neptune on the same day Rick Pitino led St John’s to it’s first Big East Title game in decades and Ryan Kalkbrenner would still be playing in that game…
— Chris – F40 (@ChrisFull40) March 15, 2025
Jay Wright has recommended Kyle Neptune to fill the Villanova Men’s Basketball team head coaching vacancy
— Seton Hall Student (@sacketology) March 15, 2025
I was unimpressed w/Kyle Neptune, but people do understand that it’s all about NIL now, right? You can hire the smartest, most charismatic coach in the world. If you aren’t willing to pay players top 💰 u aren’t going to attract or retain talent. Jay Wright retired for a reason.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 15, 2025
Some of my favorite Kyle Neptune Memes from the past few years. pic.twitter.com/JWo3BYh34J
— Villanova Enthusiast 😾 (@NovaKnowsBall) March 15, 2025
Many would disagree, but Kyle Neptune was probably the most logical choice to succeed Coach Wright when he left. I know some fans wanted a high-profile hire, but Neptune had been with the program for a long time under Jay Wright, who is arguably one of the greatest coaches of the…
— 🅰️RAY (@ARayfor3) March 15, 2025
Now that I’m not working, some Villanova thoughts:
1. Still proud of @TheVillanovan.
2. Disappointed for Kyle Neptune. As others have said, good guy who gave his all in his dream job. I think he’s got a bright future at a less demanding program. 1/5— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) March 15, 2025
6. You can be selfless without being robotic. Players showing personality, on court and in interviews, will not ruin the program. That goes for the head coach, too. (That said, Kyle was funny off-record. Showing that wouldn’t equal wins, but could have helped with goodwill.) 4/5
— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) March 15, 2025
