I Bleed Blue and White

Villanova Coach Jay Wright has been voted The Sportsperson of the Year by the Philadelphia Daily News! Humble as ever, Jay quickly dismissed the award saying it could have gone to a host of other people.

“I think I would have voted for Chase Utley, just because he was such a beast in the World Series,” said Wright, the charismatic Villanova basketball coach who took the Wildcats to the Final Four last April. “And the Eagles went to the [NFC] championship game. That still counts for this year, right? When I think of Sportsmen of the Year, I think of Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb, Charlie Manuel, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins. To me, that’s what last year was.”

Oh, Jay. Don’t be so modest. I of all people know you’re a much better human than those asses you just ran off. Plus, getting to the Final Four is harder than getting to the World Series, and especially harder than making (and not winning) the NFC Championship. Oh well. Congrats Jay!

Ray Mernagh of NBE Basketball has a new story up about Villanova assistant Doug West, and the path he has traveled from the football-crazed fields of Western PA to Villanova. West credits Jay Wright with much of his success. Wright first came to ‘Nova when West was a junior, and even after West left for the NBA, their relationship got nothing but stronger.

“West could really play, obviously, but he also continuously worked on his game. He realized that would have to remain the case if he wanted to stick in the NBA, so he headed back to the place he by then considered his second home. The young Jay Wright was waiting for him, eager to work. “We’d meet every morning at 6 AM at a court that was right next to the football field,” says West.”

The article also talks about how West’s experience at ‘Nova has helped him become a great coach, and his future aspirations. Here’s a hint:

“I’m blue and white,” says West, “I bleed it.”

…We like that line, Doug…

Jonathan Tannenwald at Soft Pretzel Logic is reporting that Rollie Massimino will join John Chaney and Speedy Morris in the Big 5’s Hall of Fame Class of 2010. The date and location of the induction ceremony have not been announced yet.

Credit: Winslow Townson (AP)

Here’s Tannenwald on Rollie’s induction:

“I also wonder if people will complain about Massimino’s induction. I think he deserves it because of the national championship. Or, to put it another way, I don’t see how you can’t induct him – especially when Harold Jensen, Dwayne McClain and Ed Pinckney are already in. If you’re going to have a place to honor the best players and coaches in Big 5 history, then Massimino should be there, even with everything that came afterwards.”

Massimino finished with a record of 357-241 (.596) in 19 seasons at Villanova and took the Wildcats to 11 NCCA Tournaments, including the school’s only National Championship in 1985.

…It’s about damn time…I wasn’t even born yet when they won it all in ‘85 but I did get the chance to meet Rollie after the Pitt win and he’s still a great guy…

…Kind of crazy that Rollie, Chaney and Speedy are all going in at the same time…pretty much the 3 biggest coaches in their respective school’s history…

Update: It’s now official according to SI’s Seth Davis. The school has a press conference planned later this week to announce the news.

…Good for Pat…it’s tough to lose an assistant coach, especially one as good as Chambers, but you can’t help but be happy for him…Congrats Coach!…

Original: According to VUHoops, Villanova assistant coach Pat Chambers is being looked at to fill the head coaching position at Boston University. Chambers met with BU officials while ‘Nova was in Boston for the NCAA Regional Finals last week.

Tennessee assistant Tony Jones and Rick Pitino’s son Richard (now an assistant at Louisville) have also been mentioned as candidates.

He was beat out for best dressed on Tuesday night, don't let him lose again.

Now is your chance to vote for Jay Wright as your favorite Big East Coach. Just head to the voting site and give him your support. Seriously, it will take 20 seconds out of your day, so do it.