{{Short description|American basketball coach (born 1955)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}{{Infobox college coach | name = Harry Perretta | image = Harry_Perretta.jpg | alt = | caption = Parretta in 2019 | current_title = | current_team = | current_conference = | current_record = | contract = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|07|22}} | birth_place = Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = | player_years1 = 1974–1975 | player_team1 = Lycoming | player_positions = | coach_years1 = 1978–2020 | coach_team1 = Villanova | overall_record = 783–489 | bowl_record = | tournament_record = | championships = | awards = Big East Coach of the Year Award (1996)<br />5× Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year (1995, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004)<br>Carol Eckman Award (2020) | coaching_records = }} '''Harry F. Perretta Jr.''' (born July 22, 1955)<ref name="NCAA Coaches"/> is a retired American basketball coach who served as the head coach of the women's basketball team at Villanova University from 1978 to 2020. When he was hired at the age of 22, he became the youngest coach to ever head a women's varsity program at Villanova.<ref name="Villanova bio"/><ref name="Hiring"/>
==Coaching career== At the time that Perretta interviewed for the position of head coach, he was one of 65 applicants. He had been out of college only two months at the time, which initially prompted Villanova to drop him from serious consideration. However, Dutch Burch, the head coach at Lycoming College, sent in a letter of recommendation to Villanova—Perretta had suffered a career-ending injury to his ankle while a freshman at Lycoming, and Burch persuaded Perretta to become a student assistant coach. Perretta also coached the junior varsity team for two years. Burch's letter helped persuade Villanova to give Perretta a chance.<ref name="Hiring"/> At the time, the women's head coaching position was part-time, and Perretta frequently came to practices wearing the work boots he wore in his morning job laying cement.<ref name="Merrill 2020-03-06">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28837723/villanova-basketball-coach-harry-perretta-ready-retire-42-seasons |title=Villanova basketball coach Harry Perretta ready to retire after 42 seasons and countless stories |first=Elizabeth |last=Merrill |website=ESPN.com |date=March 6, 2020 |accessdate=March 6, 2020}}</ref>
The school made it to the Final Four of the 1982 AIAW tournament, the last year that tournament was held.<ref name=SI/>
Teams he has coached have earned invitations to many postseason tournaments. The 2002–03 team advanced as far as the Elite Eight.<ref name="Media Guide"/>
Perretta announced on October 30, 2019 that he would retire at the end of the 2019–20 season. At the time, he had been dealing with health issues for several years. His 42nd and final season at Villanova tied him with Yvonne Kaufmann, who coached at NCAA Division III Elizabethtown from 1971 to 2012, for the most seasons as head coach at a single school in NCAA women's basketball history (including seasons in which women's sports were governed by the AIAW).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/27970935/villanova-harry-perretta-says-retire-end-season |title=Villanova's Harry Perretta says he'll retire at end of season |agency=Associated Press |website=ESPN.com |date=October 30, 2019 |accessdate=November 1, 2019}}</ref>
==Broadcasting career== Following his retirement, Perretta began broadcasting with FOX Sports and the BIG EAST Digital Network. He debuted on FS1 in a regular season game between Villanova and St. John's on January 2, 2022 and continue to work as an analyst through the 2021-22 season. Perretta was also part of the coverage team<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-04 |title=2022 BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournament Tips Off with FOX Sports |url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/latest-news/2022/03/04/2022-big-east-womens-basketball-tournament-tips-off-fox-sports |access-date=2022-03-07 |website=Fox Sports PressPass |language=en-US}}</ref> at the 2022 BIG EAST Tournament, calling games and working as a studio analyst.
==Personal life== Perretta has been married since 1996; his wife Helen played for him in the 1980s, but they did not date until 1995. At the time, he was helping take care of his ailing mother. He proposed to Helen about a month after his mother's death. In a 2020 ESPN story, Helen said, "His mother was the most important thing to him. After she passed, he could move on." They have two sons, both of whom were attending Villanova in their father's final season on the bench.<ref name="Merrill 2020-03-06"/>
Every June, Perretta and his wife visit the Poor Clares convent in Alexandria, Virginia to deliver supplies to the cloistered nuns living there. As part of an arrangement he made with the order, they visit with arguably the greatest player he coached—Shelly Pennefather, now known as Sister Rose Marie, who lives at the convent. They are separated by a glass screen during the visits, in keeping with the order's rules. For the 25th anniversary of Pennefather's final vows in 2019, marked by Sister Rose Marie renewing her vows, Perretta was one of several close friends and family members who were able to hug her for the first time since her final vows.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/27297631/happened-villanova-basketball-star-shelly-pennefather-made-deal-god |title=Whatever happened to Villanova basketball star Shelly Pennefather? 'So I made this deal with God.' |first=Elizabeth |last=Merrill |website=ESPN.com |date=August 8, 2019 |accessdate=March 6, 2020}}</ref>
==Awards and honors== * 1995—Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year<ref name="BE Media Guide"/> * 1996—Big East Coach of the Year<ref name="BE Media Guide"/> * 1996—Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year<ref name="BE Media Guide"/> * 2001—Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year<ref name="BE Media Guide"/> * 2003—Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year<ref name="BE Media Guide"/> * 2004—Philadelphia Big 5 Coach of the Year<ref name="BE Media Guide"/> * 2007—Lycoming Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007<ref name="Lycoming HOF"/> * 2011—Philadelphia Sports Writers Association Special Achievement Award<ref name=CharlieManuelCherylReeve/> *Special Achievement – Charlie Manuel (Phillies manager)<ref name=CharlieManuelCherylReeve/>
==Head coaching record== {{CBB yearly record start | type =Coach | conference = | postseason= }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subhead | name =Villanova Wildcats | conference=Atlantic 10 Conference | startyear = 1978| endyear =1980}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1978-79| name =Villanova| overall =17-8| conference = |confstanding =| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1979-80| name =Villanova| overall =20-5| conference = |confstanding =| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record subtotal| name =Villanova | overall =37–13 (.740)| confrecord =}} {{CBB Yearly Record Subhead | name = Villanova Wildcats| conference=Big East (original) | startyear = 1980| endyear =2013}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1980-81| name =Villanova| overall =22-6| conference = |confstanding =| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1981-82| name =Villanova| overall =29-4| conference = |confstanding =| postseason =AIAW}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1982-83| name =Villanova| overall =14-15| conference =4-4 |confstanding =t4th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship =conference | season =1983-84| name =Villanova| overall =22-7| conference =6-2 |confstanding =t1st| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship =conference | season =1984-85| name =Villanova| overall =21-9| conference =12-4 |confstanding =t1st| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship =conference tournament | season =1985-86| name =Villanova| overall =23-8| conference =12-4 |confstanding =t2nd| postseason =NCAA Second Round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship =confboth | season =1986-87| name =Villanova| overall =27-4| conference =15-1 |confstanding =1st| postseason =NCAA First round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1987-88| name =Villanova| overall =20-9| conference =11-5 |confstanding =2nd| postseason =NCAA First round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1988-89| name =Villanova| overall =18-12| conference =11-5 |confstanding =2nd| postseason =NCAA First round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1989-90| name =Villanova| overall =9-19| conference =1-15 |confstanding =9th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1990-91| name =Villanova| overall =12-17| conference =4-12 |confstanding =8th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1991-92| name =Villanova| overall =11-17| conference =7-11 |confstanding =t3rd| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1992-93| name =Villanova| overall =15-13| conference =10-8 |confstanding =t4th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1993-94| name =Villanova| overall =13-14| conference =7-11 |confstanding =t6th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1994-95| name =Villanova| overall =19-9| conference =13-5 |confstanding =2nd| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1995-96| name =Villanova| overall =21-7| conference =13-5 |confstanding =3rd, BE6| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1996-97| name =Villanova| overall =14-14| conference =8-10 |confstanding =5th, BE6| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1997-98| name =Villanova| overall =19-10| conference =12-6 |confstanding =t2nd, BE6| postseason =WNIT}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1998-99| name =Villanova| overall =14-14| conference =9-9 |confstanding =t6th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =1999-00| name =Villanova| overall =15-15| conference =7-9 |confstanding =t6th| postseason =WNIT}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2000-01| name =Villanova| overall =22-9| conference =11-5 |confstanding =t4th| postseason =NCAA Second Round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2001-02| name =Villanova| overall =20-11| conference =12-4 |confstanding =t3rd| postseason =NCAA Second Round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship =conference tournament | season =2002-03| name =Villanova| overall =28-6| conference =12-4 |confstanding =t3rd| postseason =NCAA Elite Eight}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2003-04| name =Villanova| overall =23-7| conference =12-4 |confstanding =t2nd| postseason =NCAA Second Round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2004-05| name =Villanova| overall =19-12| conference =10-6 |confstanding =t4th| postseason =WNIT}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2005-06| name =Villanova| overall =21-11| conference =9-7 |confstanding =t6th| postseason =WNIT}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2006-07| name =Villanova| overall =8-21| conference =2-14 |confstanding =16th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2007-08| name =Villanova| overall =17-16| conference =5-11 |confstanding =t11th| postseason =WNIT}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2008-09| name =Villanova| overall =19-14| conference =12-4 |confstanding =t4th| postseason =NCAA First round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2009-10| name =Villanova| overall =14-16| conference =3-13 |confstanding =15th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2010-11| name =Villanova| overall =12-19| conference =3-13 |confstanding =t13th| postseason =}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2011-12| name =Villanova| overall =19-15| conference =6-10 |confstanding =t10th| postseason =WNIT}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2012-13| name =Villanova| overall =21–11| conference =9–7 |confstanding =t6th| postseason =NCAA First round}} {{CBB yearly record subtotal| name =Villanova | overall={{Winning percentage|601|391|record=y}} | confrecord={{Winning percentage|268|228|record=y}} }} {{CBB Yearly Record Subhead | name = Villanova Wildcats| conference=Big East (current) | startyear = 2014| endyear =2020}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2013-14| name =Villanova| overall =23–9| conference =12–6 |confstanding =t3rd| postseason =WNIT Second Round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2014-15| name =Villanova| overall =22–14| conference =12–6 |confstanding =3rd| postseason =WNIT Quarterfinals}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2015-16| name =Villanova| overall =20–12| conference =12–6 |confstanding =3rd| postseason =WNIT Second Round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2016-17| name =Villanova| overall =20–15| conference =11–7 |confstanding =t4th| postseason =WNIT Semifinals}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season =2017-18| name =Villanova| overall =23–9| conference =12–6 |confstanding =3rd| postseason =NCAA Second Round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season=2018–19 | name=Villanova | overall=19–13 | conference=9–9 |confstanding=T-4th | postseason=WNIT Second Round}} {{CBB yearly record entry| championship = | season=2019–20 | name=Villanova | overall=18–13 | conference=11–7 |confstanding=T-3rd | postseason= }} {{CBB yearly record subtotal| name=Villanova | overall={{Winning percentage|145|82|record=y}} | confrecord={{Winning percentage|79|47|record=y}} }} {{CBB yearly record end| overall = {{Winning percentage|783|489|record=y}} }}
== See also ==
* List of college women's basketball career coaching wins leaders
==References== {{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="NCAA Coaches">{{cite web|last1=|first1=|title=Women's Basketball Coaches Career|date=|url=http://web1.ncaa.org/stats/StatsSrv/careercoach|website=NCAA|accessdate=23 Sep 2015}}</ref>
<ref name="Hiring">{{cite web|last=Blaum|first=Gene |date=February 8, 1988|title=The Other Villanova Basketball Coach|url=http://articles.philly.com/1988-02-08/news/26241627_1_villanova-aiaw-college-basketball|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915122707/http://articles.philly.com/1988-02-08/news/26241627_1_villanova-aiaw-college-basketball|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2015|work=Philly.com|publisher=|accessdate=6 May 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=SI>{{cite news | title =CNNSI Recap of 1982 Tournament | url =http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/women/features/finalfour_history/1982/ | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20010618042900/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/women/features/finalfour_history/1982/ | url-status =dead | archive-date =June 18, 2001 | accessdate =2013-05-05}}</ref>
<ref name="Villanova bio">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Harry Perretta|url=http://www.villanova.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/perretta_harry00.html|work=Villanova Athletics|publisher=|accessdate=5 May 2013|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530083812/http://www.villanova.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/perretta_harry00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Media Guide">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Villanova 2011-12 Women's Basketball Guide |url=http://www.guide.provations.com/villanovawildcats/2012wb#pg1|work=Villanova Athletics|publisher=|accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="BE Media Guide">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Big East Media Guide|url=http://www.bigeast.org/Sports/WomensBasketball/201213WomensBasketballMediaGuide.aspx|work=|publisher=Big East|accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="Lycoming HOF">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Harry Perretta Class of 1978 Induction Class of 2007|url=http://athletics.lycoming.edu/hof.aspx?hof=148&path=&kiosk=|work=|publisher=Lycoming College|accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref>
<ref name=CharlieManuelCherylReeve>{{cite web|title=Charlie Manuel, Cheryl Reeve among PSWA award-winners|date=January 13, 2012|publisher=Philadelphia Sports Writers Association|url=http://pswadinner.com/?p=854|accessdate=2012-04-29}}</ref> }}
{{Villanova Wildcats women's basketball coach navbox}}{{Big East Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year navbox}}{{Carol Eckman Award}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perretta, Harry}} Category:1955 births Category:Living people Category:American women's basketball coaches Category:Basketball coaches from Pennsylvania Category:Lycoming Warriors men's basketball players Category:People from Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania Category:Basketball players from Delaware County, Pennsylvania Category:Villanova Wildcats women's basketball coaches