HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) — Villanova hired former player Baker Dunleavy away from his job as coach at Quinnipiac Thursday to a new position as general manager of basketball for the Wildcats.
Dunleavy coached the Bobcats for six seasons after spending seven seasons as an assistant at Villanova, where he also played.
The 40-year-old was 86-93 at Quinnipiac, including 20-12 this past season, just the fourth 20-win campaign in program history.
“We feel it is time for us to take a step out of coaching into a new exciting opportunity for our family,” Dunleavy said in a statement.
Dunleavy's new job involves assisting Villanova's men's and women's teams with name, image and likeness issues, the transfer portal, marketing and fundraising.
“I believe the creation of the GM role, particularly with Baker at the helm, positions Villanova well competitively for the future," said Mark Jackson, the school's athletic director. “It will allow Villanova to be even more forward-thinking and bring an innovative and seasoned perspective to the ever-evolving college basketball landscape.”
Quinnipiac said assistant Tom Pecora, a former head coach at Hofstra and Fordham, has been promoted to replace Dunleavy.
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