Villanova says goodbye to Kyle Neptune: coach fired after failing to qualify for NCAA tournament
Villanova men’s basketball coach Kyle Neptune had big shoes to fill and never quite got there as the school fired him after three seasons.
After three seasons as head coach of the men’s basketball team at Villanova, Kyle Neptune has been fired.
BREAKING: Villanova has parted ways with head coach Kyle Neptune, per multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/g3c9ss9gjO
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 15, 2025
Neptune fired after another failed NCAA tournament berth
Neptune replaced Jay Wright after he retired in 2022. Wright led Villanova to the NCAA tournament in 16 of his final 17 seasons, including to four Final Fours and two national championships. It took him four seasons to get them to an NCAA tournament though, with their last three-year drought coming from 2002-2004, Wright’s first three seasons.
Neptune, on the other hand, won’t get another shot after his first three failed attempts at making it to the NCAA tournament. In his first season in 2022, the Wildcats finished 17-17. The following season, they hit a late surge but couldn’t close out the campaign with enough wins, ending at 18-16.
This year was his chance to turn things around, but they got off to a slow start, losing four of their first seven games. The played their way onto the bubble at the end of the season, but a loss to Georgetown in the season finale and a big loss to UCONN in the Big East quarterfinals officially eliminated them from NCAA tournament contention, finishing the season at 19-14.
Villanova released a statement on Saturday announcing Neptune’s firing.
News: Villanova has fired Kyle Neptune, sources told Fox Sports. He went 54-47 in three seasons and failed to reach the NCAA Tournament, going 19-14 with national leading scorer Eric Dixon this year.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) March 15, 2025
“We are grateful to Kyle for his long service to Villanova and his mentorship to the many outstanding young men he has coached,” said Villanova athletic director Eric Roedl.
Assistant coach Mike Nardi will be Villanova’s interim head coach for the time being, until they find someone to replace Neptune.
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