Jason Donnelly Hometown: Colonia, N.J. Position: Special Assistant to the Head Coach Experience: Sixth Season Alma Mater: Muhlenberg College

Jason Donnelly has served Villanova with distinction in several roles since joining the program in 2005 and in August 2012 was named Special Assistant to the Head Coach. In his new position, Donnelly works closely with Wright on a variety of projects, both short and long-term in nature. He works with the team, staff, administrators, and basketball alumni on projects including the Villanova Athletic Fund, basketball alumni events, Coaches vs. Cancer, and program development.

From 2008-12 Donnelly served as an assistant coach, where his responsibilities included on-court instruction, recruiting and player development. During his stint the Wildcats made appearances in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 (2008) and NCAA Final Four (2009). In this capacity, Donnelly assisted in the development of BIG EAST Most Improved Player Dante Cunningham and All-American Scottie Reynolds.

Donnelly played a key role in the recruitment of classes ranked among the nation's best and helped Villanova maintain its 100 percent graduation rate among athletes who have remained in the program for four years.

During this period he was also responsible for scheduling, academic oversight, and coordination with Villanova's NCAA Compliance Office.

Prior to becoming an assistant coach Donnelly served as the director of basketball operations. In that slot he handled an assortment of duties vital to the function of the men's basketball office. In that period he was primarily focused on off-court player development, including academics and scheduling. He also served as the basketball office's link to the athletic department on day-to-day matters, including working closely with the facilities staff on the design of the university's basketball training and student fitness facility, the Davis Center. In addition, he coordinated all team travel and the Villanova Basketball camps while also fulfilling the role of assistant producer on the "Inside Villanova Basketball" television and "Talking Villanova Basketball" radio programs.

In the summer of 2007, Donnelly enjoyed the unique experience of serving as the administrative assistant/manager for the United States' entry in the Pan American Games. He coordinated the trials held in Haverford, Pa., and the team's travel en route to Brazil, while assisting the coaching staff with a variety of off-court tasks working under the supervision of USA Men's Basketball Director Sean Ford. Donnelly came to Villanova from Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Va., where he served as the lead assistant coach to Joe Wootten from 1999-2005. In his final four seasons on the staff Bishop O'Connell posted a record of 116-19 (.859) and was consistently ranked in the national top 25. In his final season at Bishop O'Connell the Knights finished with a 31-3 record and won the prestigious Alhambra Catholic National Invitational Tournament for the third consecutive time. Numerous players were developed for collegiate and professional careers.

Prior to that stint, Donnelly began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. During that time Muhlenberg won the 1998 Centennial Conference Tournament championship and was a participant in the Division III NCAA Tournament that year.

As an undergraduate, Donnelly earned a history degree from Muhlenberg and played varsity basketball for coach Dave Madiera, the school's all-time leader in coaching victories.

Donnelly, a native of Colonia, N.J., and his wife Rachel make their home in Bryn Mawr, Pa. The couple welcomed a son, Aidan, to their family in May 2010 and a daughter, Raelyn in May 2012.