Jay Wright gives 'firm no' to Kentucky job opening on national championship pregame show

Former Villanova coach Jay Wright gave a “firm no” to the Kentucky job when he was asked about it by Kenny Smith on TBS’ national championship pregame show.

Wright’s name immediately popped up when Calipari left to take the job at Arkansas. But Wright is currently enjoying retirement and doing television.

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Smith said he missed Wright on a college basketball sideline and the game would be better with him in it.

“Well, I appreciate that Kenny and I am so happy doing this,” Wright said on TBS’ pregame show. “I’m telling you right now. I like being Kenny’s coach. Even thought I’m not Chuck’s coach yet. I haven’t earned that yet. I’ve haven’t earned that yet. But I love being Kevin’s coach and I say this. Chuck, to your point about John running his course.

“What John Calipari has done in Kentucky, it’s not just the recruiting, the Final Fours, it’s getting guys to the NBA, taking care of their families. It’s their big blue Midnight Madness, having Drake come in, having the top recruits in the country every single year. That program is known worldwide.”

Wright made it known that Calipari’s replacement would be walking into a very tough job. With immense expectations to follow a national championship winning coach, good luck to the next guy.

“And it always was but he took it into this this new generation and did an incredible job,” Wright said. “That guy that replaces him is going to be in a really difficult position to cover all the areas of college basketball.

“He’s a college basketball genius. What he did and recruiting and bringing in all those pros and all those guys that come back to Kentucky makes that program as strong as ever. Whoever comes in is coming into a super strong program.”

Even reporter Seth Davis doubled down on the questioning, asking him: “is that a firm no?”

“Yes, yes,” Wright said. “Told ya, I’m Kenny’s coach.”

Wright coached Villanova from 2001-22, winning two national championships in 2016 and ’18. He led the Wildcats to a Big East Tournament title in his final season as well as the Final Four in 2022.