Mike Nardi

Mike Nardi

Mike Nardi, a four-year starter at guard for the Wildcats from 2003-07, was named Interim Head Coach on March 15, 2025, stepping in for former Head Coach Kyle Neptune following the announcement of a leadership change in the Men's Basketball program. 

Nardi served as an Assistant Coach for the Wildcats from 2018-2025. Since joining the basketball staff at the start of the 2015-16 season, Nardi has been a part of five BIG EAST regular season, five  BIG EAST Tournament, three NCAA Final Fours and two NCAA national championships.

Previously, the New Jersey native served as Director of Student-Athlete Development (2015-16), Video Coordinator (2016-17). and Director of Basketball Operations (2017-18).

Nardi remained in his position when Neptune was introduced as Villanova's new head coach in April 2022, replacing Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright, who announced his retirement. 

Nardi originally came to Villanova after an outstanding career at St. Patrick’s High School in New Jersey. The 6-2 native of Linden, N.J., was tabbed New Jersey High School Player of the Year by the Newark Star Ledger.

As a Wildcat, Nardi was named to the 2004 BIG EAST All-Rookie Team after starting all 35 games as a freshman. He would remain an integral part of some of Villanova’s most successful teams in the mid-2000’s, helping VU reach the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2005 and the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight in 2006. As a senior he helped mentor freshman Scottie Reynolds while helping lead the Wildcats back to the NCAA Tournament and he was named Honorable Mention All-BIG EAST.

Nardi scored 1,306 points in his Villanova career. His 423 career assists place him in 12th place in school history.He was a 2019 inductee into the Philadelphia Big Five Hall of Fame. 

Following graduation in 2007 Nardi played professionally for nine seasons in Italy.

In August 2018 Nardi was married to the former Lauren Christiana in a ceremony at the St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel. The couple are parents to a daughter Luciana and son Donte.