June 14, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Head coach Jay Wright today completed his staff with the hiring of Jason Donnelly as Villanova's coordinator of basketball operations.

Donnelly, 28, comes to Villanova from Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Va., where he served as an assistant coach from 1999-2005, moving into the role of lead assistant coach in 2002. Bishop O'Connell finished No. 1 in the state of Virginia in each of the past three seasons and was also ranked in the national top 25 in each of those campaigns.

Before coming to Bishop O'Connell, Donnelly spent two years as an assistant basketball coach at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. Donnelly brings a portfolio of administrative experience with him as well, having served as a commissioner and coach at the Morgan Wootten Basketball Camps since 1998.

"Jason is a young, enthusiastic and experienced basketball coach," stated Wright. "He comes from great bloodlines, having worked for (head coach) Joe Wootten at Bishop O'Connell. In addition, he brings great administrative experience from his work with Coach Morgan Wootten's basketball camps. We look forward to having Jason and his wife Rachel join the Villanova basketball family."

Donnelly fills the vacancy created by the April departure of associate head coach Fred Hill. Previously, Wright announced the promotion of Brett Gunning to associate head coach from an assistant coaching position and Patrick Chambers from the coordinator of basketball operations slot to assistant coach.

TRANSACTIONS: Named Jason Donnelly coordinator of men's basketball operations.