Pinckney leaves for NBA

Villanova assistant coach Ed Pinckney will leave the team to join the coaching staff of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, Villanova University announced on Friday.

Pinckney will accept an asisstant coaching position under Timberwolves' head coach Randy Wittman, and will be reunited with guard Randy Foye, who starred for Villanova from 2002 to 2006.

Pinckney earned his spot on the Villanova bench in May 2003, and served as an assistant coach for the Wildcats for four seasons. According to Villanova, Pinckney "was involved in all aspects of coaching, including on-court teaching, recruiting and scouting."

Many fans, however, will miss particularly Pinckney's recruiting prowess.

Villanova head coach Jay Wright said that he was proud of Pinckney for earning the NBA opportunity:

Eddie has made a great impact as a player and alumnus but his four years as a coach were just as meaningful. Eddie became a great recruiter and mentor to our young men. We will miss having him around us every day but we also know that Eddie will remain a great representative of Villanova basketball.

Pinckney led Villanova to the NCAA championship in 1985 before spending 12 seasons in the NBA.

According to Villanova University, a search for the next assistant on Jay Wright's bench is already underway.