Villanova Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson announced today the creation of a new position, General Manager of Basketball, and named former Wildcats’ Associate Head Coach Baker Dunleavy to fill that role effective immediately.
The General Manager will support William B. Finneran Endowed Men’s Head Coach Kyle Neptune and Women’s Head Coach Denise Dillon in managing a myriad of responsibilities that impact both programs, including opportunities and education around Name, Image and Likeness; the transfer portal; student-athlete brand-building and marketing; and advancing institutional fundraising in partnership with University Advancement. The General Manager will report directly to the Vice President and Director of Athletics.
“The dramatic changes in college basketball over the past several years have brought new challenges and forced us to collectively think differently,” stated Jackson. “I believe the creation of the GM role, particularly with Baker at the helm, positions Villanova well competitively for the future. It will allow Villanova to be even more forward-thinking and bring an innovative and seasoned perspective to the ever-evolving college basketball landscape. Most of all, Baker is a wonderful person and a great Villanovan. We’re thrilled to welcome him, Chrissi and their four daughters back to Villanova.”
Dunleavy, a 2006 Villanova School of Business graduate, served on the Wildcats’ staff from 2010-17 before accepting the position as Head Coach at Quinnipiac University. Over the last six seasons, he guided the Bobcats to 86 victories, totaling double-digit victories in five of those seasons, including a 20-12 mark in 2022-23. He served as the Associate Head Coach in 2016 when Villanova won its second NCAA national championship.
“We’re in a new era of college basketball,” stated Villanova Head Women’s Basketball Coach Denise Dillon. “To bring someone in with Baker’s knowledge, experience, and connections to oversee this critical area is a huge plus for our program. It’s a proactive move that will allow us to continue to greatly enhance the student-athlete experience at Villanova.”
“This is such an important addition to our program,” stated William B. Finneran Endowed Head Men’s Basketball Coach Kyle Neptune. “The basketball world we live in now looks vastly different than it did even a few years ago. Baker has navigated that world as a head coach and this experience, coupled with longstanding ties to the NBA, will be an invaluable resource for our staff moving forward. I look forward to partnering with him in this new role.”
“We couldn’t be more excited for our family to return to Villanova for this incredible new opportunity,” said Dunleavy. “As college athletics have evolved in the past few years, they have brought along changes away from the court that impact every program. I cannot wait to begin working with our student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Nova Nation to build upon the tradition and brand of Villanova Men’s and Women’s Basketball.”
