NEW ROCHELLE – Knowing the abrupt change of direction rattled supporters of a program struggling to live up to a storied past, Iona University leaned on newly-hired men’s basketball coach Dan Geriot to dial up the enthusiasm.
The 36-year-old Pennsylvania native with NBA sideline credentials led with passion Tuesday, April 1, when he was officially introduced to students, alumni, staffers and fans in the LaPenta School of Business atrium.
“What a time to be at Iona University,” said Geriot, who is the 16th coach in program history. “I think this is groundbreaking. … We don’t even know what the rules are going to be in two years.”
The opportunity to reimagine a mid-major program with a legacy held enough appeal that he agreed to make a move before the end of the NBA season.
Geriot follows Tobin Anderson who was let go March 17 after going 33-34 in two seasons. The Gaels advanced to the championship game of the MAAC tournament last month before falling to Mount St. Mary’s. Anderson was out two days later.
Closing a deal with a new coach in 72 hours required numerous conversations well before the change of direction was shared publicly.
“I think all of the mid-majors in this position are evaluating the different aspects of the changing landscape,” Iona director of athletics Matt Glovaski said. “And that’s not unique to basketball. I think there was a recognition that we had to do something very different and innovative. You’ve seen other colleges hire former NBA coaches. I thought Dan’s skill set, his ability to connect with players, the way he looks at things analytically and his experience in dealing with the professional landscape, it sets him up for where I think the college game is going.”
Terms of the contract remain undisclosed, but competing in the age of the transfer portal and name, image and likeness (NIL) payments requires a significant financial investment.
“We have great people and great support behind the program, so I feel strongly we’re in a good place,” Glovaski said of the program’s NIL goals. “But I think certainly the ability to capitalize on what Dan’s bringing, his network and his access to the NBA, those are opportunities to build on. … It’s a challenging and unique landscape, but it’s absolutely a part of the game. To compete you have to live in an NIL world.”
