The "Wright" Stuff But Not for the Sixers Right Now

By DAN STAMM

Updated 1:19 PM EST, Fri, May 22, 2009

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Villanova Wildcats head basketball coach Jay Wright is staying put despite talking to the Philadelphia 76ers about their coaching vacancy.

Wright met last week with Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski last week, the Nova coach told ESPN.

"Last week, Ed reached out to me to see if I would be willing to speak to him about the Sixers' coaching position," Wright said in a statement. "He is a longtime friend of mine whom I have great respect for and is someone I talk to often. We had a lively conversation about the vision Ed has for the Sixers organization. As a lifelong Sixers fan, I was honored to be part of the process."

But what does that mean? Did Stefanski tell Wright the job was his if he was willing to leave Nova?

"Following our meeting, I called Ed to thank him and requested that he remove me from consideration," Wright said.

It's interesting that Wright took himself out of contention but he gave a good reason.

"I love Villanova and it is where I want to be," he said.

You have to wonder if the Sixers were in a better situation if Wright would have taken on the team. Heck, he fits perfectly what Stefanski said he is looking for in the next Sixers coach.

"As I have said before, the qualities I am looking for in our next head coach include excellent communication and leadership skills, will stress the importance of accountability while also developing our players and will be a strong tactician," said Stefanski.

The lure of the NBA could one day take Wright away from Nova. But, he made the right choice sticking with the Wildcats because right now he has a great recruiting class on it's way in while the Sixers are stuck underneath the Boston Celtics and Elton Brand's contract.

"Wright is that high profile college coach with local ties, tremendous success and a great situation on the Main Line," said CSNPhilly's Dei Lynam.

But, don't be surprised if Wright one day takes the plunge into the NBA. With a trip to the Final Four under his belt and a handful of his former players playing in the NBA he should be on most teams' short lists whenever a coaching job opens up.

As for the 76ers, little remains known for now about whom they will hire to lead the team or when they will make up their minds.

"Due to the number of candidates still involved in the process, there is no timetable set for when this very important decision regarding the future direction of the franchise will be made," said Stefanski.

Maybe it isn't that the Sixers are taking their time but rather that the people they want don't want what the Sixers are selling.