Villanova, PA (My Sportsbook) - Villanova head basketball coach Jay Wright met with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers about their coaching vacancy, but said on Friday that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the post.

Wright said he met last week with Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski, who has also spoken with a number of other candidates.

"We had a lively conversation about the vision Ed has for the Sixers organization," said Wright in a statement on the school's web site. "As a lifelong Sixers fan, I was honored to be part of the process.

"Following our meeting, I called Ed to thank him and requested that he remove me from consideration. I love Villanova and it is where I want to be. I am grateful to the Sixers for including me in the process. There is a lot to look forward to for Sixer fans like me with the young talent they have put together and the leadership of Ed Stefanski."

Wright, under contract through the 2012-13 season, led Villanova to the Final Four this past spring. The Wildcats were beaten by eventual champion North Carolina, 83-69, in the national semifinals. It marked the school's first trip to the Final Four since the legendary 1985 squad upset Georgetown for the national title.

Villanova finished the 2008-09 season with a record of 30-8, and in eight seasons under Wright, the Wildcats have a mark of 178-91.

Wright, who grew up in the Philadelphia suburb of Churchville, Pennsylvania, was also an assistant at Villanova from 1987-92 and spent seven years as head coach at Hofstra before returning to the Main Line for the 2001-02 season. He has a 15-year collegiate head coaching mark of 300-176.

The 76ers need a replacement for Tony DiLeo, who was named the interim coach on December 13 when Maurice Cheeks was fired after a 9-14 start. DiLeo, who said earlier this month that he would not be a candidate for the full-time position, finished the year 32-27 and guided the Sixers into the playoffs, where they were bounced in the first round by the Orlando Magic.