Villanova coach Andy Talley will retire after 2016 season

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) Villanova coach Andy Talley will retire following the 2016 season and will be replaced by longtime assistant Mark Ferrante.

The winningest coach in Villanova history, Talley is 221-133-1 and led the Wildcats to the 2009 national championship. He led Villanova to 11 NCAA playoff appearances, six conference championships and three national semifinal games. He was named the 1999 Eddie Robinson winner as FCS coach of the year.

Ferrante has been a Villanova assistant for the last 29 years, including 17 seasons as the program's assistant head coach. He has coached the Wildcat offensive line for 26 seasons.

Talley has coached Villanova since the school brought the sport back to the FCS level after a four-year hiatus. The 73-year-old Talley also led a marrow donor program that has helped save lives.

He will stay at Villanova through 2017 in an administrative role, serving as special assistant to the athletic director.