On Sunday, March 15 at 11:15 a.m., an email was sent out to the Villanova community with the subject “Villanova Men’s Basketball.” In the first few lines, the email confirmed what many students had already been anticipating: Villanova would be “making a leadership change,” meaning Kyle Neptune would no longer be head coach.
Despite only being head of the program for three seasons, Neptune has created quite the reputation for himself on campus, and not necessarily the most positive one. He had a difficult job when he stepped into this role three years ago. He replaced iconic coach Jay Wright and took over a team that had just reached the Final Four in March Madness. However, in the last three seasons, Villanova men’s basketball has failed to even make the tournament. This fall from grace has not endeared Neptune to a student body who wants to take pride in our basketball program like past generations have.
The reaction on campus immediately following this email was one of excitement. Many students on campus have been anticipating this change in leadership for most of the season, assuming that if the team didn’t achieve the tournament once again, something would have to give.
“I am so happy that Neptune is gone,” sophomore Lexie Scibilia said. “He inherited a fantastic team and program from Jay Wright, and he ran it right into the ground in three years.”
Scibilia’s strong feelings have been shared by many on this campus, so the excitement that came with the announcement of Neptune’s departure was not unexpected.
“I don’t know much about basketball, but the fact that so many people disliked him says something about what he was doing with the program, so I’m happy he’s leaving,” sophomore Caitlyn Knowles said.
Some students had a more sympathetic approach, acknowledging the work that Neptune put in for the team even if the results were less than stellar.
“I feel bad for him,” junior Maggie Parham said.
Ultimately, Neptune is a real person who has worked within this community for longer than some underclassmen have been students. While some may welcome this change, it is still a significant one which will be felt even stronger as the next basketball season approaches.
However, for seniors, this news was rather bittersweet, as they will not be here as students to experience the beginnings of this highly anticipated new era. While Villanova is a community for life and many continue to cheer on the sidelines long after they graduate, there is something to be said for being in the student section when the team is doing well. Basketball games are a special part of the Villanova culture, and it is difficult to be as excited about something they won’t directly experience.
“At least we made it to the Final Four my freshman year,” senior Alexa Kallas said.
It is disappointing to not see one’s school achieve to the same level it once did, but hopefully, next year, now-seniors like Kallas can look back on their alma mater with a bit more excitement about the basketball team than they may feel now.
Villanova is a basketball school. It takes pride in the program and many felt that Neptune’s coaching undermined that. The future remains rather unknown as the community waits to hear who will replace him in the long run, but there is definitely a more optimistic feeling on campus now that Neptune’s departure has been confirmed. Students are expecting a much more exciting season next year.
