Villanova’s Perretta to retire

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Villanova women’s basketball coach Harry Perretta announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of this season.

Perretta has been the coach of the Wildcats for 42 years, tying him with Yvonne Kaufmann of Elizabethtown College (19712012) for the most seasons at one school in any division of NCAA women’s basketball. The 64yearold has dealt with health problems the last few years.

He will stay on at the school for one more year, serving as a special assistant to the athletic director.

Perretta has led the Wildcats to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, 11 WNIT berths and the Big East regular season and tournament titles in 198586 and 198687. The Wildcats also won the Big East tournament in 2003, including an upset of No. 1 Connecticut in the title game that snapped the Huskies’ 70game winning streak.

He’s had 20 seasons with at least 20 wins and led the team to the AIAW Final Four in 1982.

“Villanova has allowed me to be the person I am for the last 42 years and for that I am forever grateful,” Perretta said in a statement. “Every president and athletic director that I worked for during my career treated me extremely well and fairly, and I have never had to pretend to be somebody that I wasn’t.

“Villanova will always be home to me. My wife graduated from here and both of my sons are currently in school here. I have been truly blessed for the last 42 years.”