Villanova Legend Jay Wright Enters Lakers Head Coaching Rumors

Another name has entered the Lakers' head coaching vacancy discussion.

After the bombshell news that the Lakers are heavily vetting UConn's Dan Hurley for their head coaching role, former Villanova coach Jay Wright is rumored to be in consideration. 

The early buzz on Wright suggests that the Nova coach is a contingency plan for Hurley … but are any of these names truly interested in this role?

LOUISVILLE, KY - MARCH 26:  Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates defeating the Kansas Jayhawks 64-59 during the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 26, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

NBA insider Marc Stein shared a reported interest in Wright, who last coached the Wildcats in 2022. Stein called Wright a ‘stealth’ candidate if Hurley doesn't work out. 

READ: Dan Hurley Deserves Shot In NBA If He Wants, Despite Unfortunate Timing For UConn | Trey Wallace

"I had been warned early on by one well-placed insider, for what it's worth, to stay ready in case former Villanova coach Jay Wright emerged as a stealth candidate," Stein shared.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski previously revealed that the Lakers are ‘all in’ on Hurley and will even host him in Los Angeles on Friday. 

Weeks of speculation around the vacancy named guys like podcaster/former player J.J. Redick as front-runners. Redick rode a hot streak as the top name. Now the talks are skewing toward elite college names as the Lakers plan on a years-long rebuild rather than another ‘flash in the pan’ hire.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - APRIL 08: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies looks on in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game at State Farm Stadium on April 08, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Wright first joined the Wildcats in 2001. By the end of his tenure, he coached the team to five Big East titles, four Final Four appearances, six 30-win seasons and two national championships (2016, 2018).

Jay Wright left Villanova with a 642-282 record. 

(Does Jay Wright to L.A. have any sizzle to it? Will Hurley end up as the Lakers' coach? Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com)

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