Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Casey Accepts New Position at Niagara
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (April 22, 2013) - LIU Post men's basketball head coach Chris Casey is resigning his post to become the head men's basketball coach at Niagara University, a Division I program that competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), in New Lewiston, N.Y.
“We wish Chris well,” said LIU Post Director of Athletics Bryan Collins. “He's continued the tradition of excellence in men's basketball at LIU Post and we appreciate all his efforts as our men's basketball coach as well as being a significant part of the Pioneer family.”
"I'd like to thank Dr. Paul Forestell and Bryan Collins for affording me the opportunity to coach at LIU Post,” said Casey. “It's been the most rewarding experience of my coaching career. I've forged great friendships and wish the best to all the coaches and student-athletes at LIU Post.”
Casey took over before the 2010-11 season and proceeded to post back-to-back 20-win seasons with two East Coast Conference Championships and two NCAA appearances. This past season, Casey's squad made its third straight appearance in the East Coast Conference tournament, finishing the season with an 18-9 record, good for second in the regular season standings.
Casey mentored ten All-East Coast Conference selections, including back-to-back ECC Players of the Year and All-Americans Stefan Bonneau and Tobin Carberry. He also received ECC Coach of the Year accolades and was honored by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association as the Division II Coach of the Year in 2012.
Casey joins former LIU Post head coach Tim Cluess as the second straight Pioneer head coach to make the jump to the Division I ranks, as Cluess just completed his third season at MAAC-rival Iona College.
A national search for a new men's basketball coach will begin immediately.