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Villanova promotes Mike Nardi to assistant coach, hires former Wildcat Dwayne Anderson

Dwayne Anderson, a member of the Wildcats' 2009 Final Four team, takes over as director of basketball operations after spending five years as a Penn State assistant.

Villanova head coach Jay Wright finally filled the void left by assistant coach Ashley Howard leaving for La Salle.
Villanova head coach Jay Wright finally filled the void left by assistant coach Ashley Howard leaving for La Salle.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Villanova coach Jay Wright announced Thursday that Mike Nardi has been promoted to assistant coach and that Dwayne Anderson, like Nardi a former Wildcats player, has been named director of basketball operations.

Nardi, who served as director of basketball operations last season, fills the spot on the coaching staff vacated by Ashley Howard, who accepted the head coaching job at La Salle in April. Nardi was a four-year starter at guard for the Wildcats from 2003-07.

Anderson returns to Villanova from Penn State, where he was an assistant coach for five seasons on the staff of head coach Patrick Chambers. Chambers was on Wright's staff when Anderson played for the Wildcats and was part of the 2009 Final Four team.

"As a player, Dwayne's leadership traits played a critical role on our 2009 NCAA Final Four team," Wright said. "Those same traits have helped make him an outstanding young coach. He will be a great role model for our players."