7 Days After Dan Hurley’s Rejection, Villanova Makes Big Move To Rival UConn by Luring Ex-Celtics Coach

The NCAA 2024 has ended and with its end, there has been a long list of players who have either declared for the NBA or entered the transfer portal. However, it’s not only the players who are making their move, instead the management of most teams is introspecting on the mistakes of the past and looking to make amends in the upcoming season.

One such coach who has been involved with a lot of offers is the Le Moyne Dolphins assistant coach Jamie Young. Young as per reports has decided to move to the Villanova Wildcats which certainly looks like the beginning of an epic rivalry between them and the University of Connecticut Huskies.

Villanova Wildcats hire Jamie Young after Dan Hurley’s surprise decision

Young was working as an assistant for the Dolphins till last season. However, as per reports he has decided to join the Villanova Wildcats for the NCAA 2024-25. Recently, ESPN writer Pete Thamel revealed that as per his sources, Young will make the move. “Villanova basketball is hiring longtime NBA assistant Jamie Young as an assistant coach,” tweeted Thamel.

This decision comes after 7 days of the Huskies head coach Dan Hurley choosing not to ply his trade for the NBA franchise Los Angeles Lakers. Hurley was in talk with the Lakers along with JJ Redick and James Borrego. The 51-year-old was a favorite to be the next Lakers coach. However, he chose not to accept the coveted position.

Possible reasons for his rejection of such a highly wanted position were related to his family who lived in the East while Hurley would have to go to the West to coach the Lakers. Secondly, the Lakers have a bad history with their coaching staff. After Phil Jackson, the Lakers have found it difficult to have any permanent long-time coach. And with Villanova’s decision, it looks as if they will give UConn a hard time in college basketball. 

Jamie Young to help Villanova be a rival to Dan Hurley’s UConn

The Wildcats have found a dependable coach in Kyle Neptune. They made it to the National Invitational Tournament first round in both of his seasons. Neptune had previously been an assistant at Villanova from 2013 to 2021 which also makes him the best person to groom a budding assistant in the NCAA since he knows the ins and outs of the Villanova team.

In this setup will enter Young. Young has previously been an assistant at the Boston Celtics from 2011 to 2021 and the Philadelphia 76ers from 2021 to 2023. Therefore, he has worked with top-notch franchises as an assistant and that experience will definitely help him shape a prominent Villanova team under Neptune. 

And with it, the Wildcats can expect to give tough competition to the 2x Champions and overthrow Hurley’s legacy. What will happen next will only be clear with the passing of time. But there is one guarantee for sure while Hurley will try to embellish his mark with a title for the third time, Villanova will challenge Hurley with equal force and measure.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.