Villanova head coach Jay Wright addressed recent rumors about being a candidate for the Philadelphia 76ers' head coaching job after the Sixers recently fired Brett Brown.

Wright has always been among the top college coaching minds and an outside candidate to make the move to the NBA. Yet the Pennsylvania native noted he won't be gunning for the Sixers' coaching vacancy in the next few weeks:

“Out of respect for our Villanova community and our 76ers organization, I feel the need to address speculation about the 76ers head coach position,” said Wright in an official statement.
“The 76ers have a great leader in Elton Brand, outstanding young talent, and an incredible opportunity for any coach to compete for a championship. As a lifetime 76ers fan, I have confidence they will bring in the right coach to build on what brett brown has developed.
“I am not a candidate for the job. I am very happy and honored to coach at Villanova.”

The 58-year-old Wright has won two national championships with Villanova (2016, 2018) and is among the most prominent figures in college coaching. He has made three trips to the Final Four (2009, 2016, 2018) and won Naismith College Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2016.

Jay Wright has coached Villanova since 2001 and was included as an assistant for head coach Gregg Popovich in Team USA's latest FIBA World Cup appearance.

The Sixers will continue their coaching search, with their sights on the likes of Tyronn Lue and Jason Kidd. Unfortunately for Philly, it appears Jay Wright won't be a part of that conversation.