Sports

Villanova Assistant Coach Dwayne Anderson II Will Not Return Next Season

Dylan Johnson, Co-Sports Editor

April 8, 2025

Dwayne Anderson has spent over a decade at Villanova as a player and coach.

On Monday, April 7, Villanova from assistant coach Dwayne Anderson II announced via his X account (formerly known as Twitter) that he will not be retained on the new Villanova head coach Kevin Willard’s staff.

“Sad to have to say goodbye to my Alma mater and the place my kids call home,” Anderson said in a post on X. “Villanova made me into the man I am today and I have had the privilege of coaching and mentoring so many young men who can now say the same. Never thought I would have to say goodbye like this.”

A former Wildcat himself, Anderson returned to Villanova in May of 2018 as Director of Basketball Operations under former head coach Jay Wright. In Anderson’s first season back with the program, the Wildcats won the 2018 national championship.

After spending three seasons in that role, Anderson became an assistant coach for the 2021 season, which ended in a Final Four appearance.

After Wright’s retirement, Kyle Neptune retained Anderson on his staff in the same assistant role.

During his time on staff, Anderson became a role model for the Wildcats he coached. After Anderson announced he was leaving, some former players took to social media, including forward Brandon Slater (‘23) and guard Justin Moore (‘24).

“Thank you for everything. You changed my life,” Slater wrote on X.

Before coming to Villanova, Anderson started his coaching career at Penn State in 2013 as an assistant under head coach Pat Chambers. He spent five seasons with Penn State.

Anderson joined the Villanova basketball program as a player in 2005. He spent four years on the team which culminated with a Final Four run during his senior year in 2009. He averaged nine points and 6.2 rebounds his senior year as a team captain.

While Anderson announced his departure on Monday, he did not specify what his future plans are at this time.

Sad to have to say goodbye to my Alma mater and the place my kids call home. Villanova made me into the man I am today and I have had the privilege of coaching and mentoring so many young men who can now say the same. Never thought I would have to say goodbye like this. pic.twitter.com/I50PiKjZYz

— Dwayne Anderson II (@waynethepres) April 8, 2025

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About the Contributor

Dylan Johnson, Co-Sports Editor

Dylan Johnson is currently serving his first year as one of the two Villanovan Co-Sports Editors. He is currently pursuing a major in Communications with a specialization in journalism. Dylan is a sophomore from Philadelphia, PA. Dylan’s passion for journalism is driven by storytelling. At The Villanovan, he wants to discover and tell the stories that might otherwise go untold. Dylan is a hard worker who is always looking for the next article to write. He is a diehard Philadelphia sports fan and will never miss an Eagles game. He can always be found at a Villanova game, whether it be in a press box, on the sidelines, or in the stands. When he is not spending hours in the Finn’s media room, Dylan can be found enjoying runs around campus.