Iona Taps Cinderella Story Architect To Replace Coach Pitino

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Iona University's new men's basketball coach has already proven he can take on big name programs and come away victorious.

On Tuesday night, Athletic Director Matthew Glovaski announced the appointment of Tobin Anderson as the new head coach at Iona.

Anderson comes to New Rochelle after serving as head coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University where he led the No. 16 seeded Knights to the NCAA Tournament's second round after an upset over No. 1 Purdue that surprised nearly everyone except for Anderson and his team.

Anderson will be formally introduced as Iona men's basketball's 15th head coach at the Hynes Center today at 10 a.m.

"I appreciate this tremendous opportunity from Matt Glovaski and Dr. Carey to be the next leader of one of the most storied basketball programs on the East Coast," Anderson said of his new job. "Iona University represents everything my family and I were looking for in a school, a basketball program and a campus atmosphere. Our goal is to build upon the tremendous tradition of Iona basketball and elevate the program to greater heights."

"We are very excited to introduce Tobin Anderson as Iona University's men's basketball head coach," said Glovaski. "We have long known him to be a fantastic coach and an even better person. Now, with his team's impressive run in the NCAA tournament, everyone paying attention to March Madness also knows this. We're delighted that he will be at the helm of our men's basketball program."

Anderson led the Knights to a 21-16 overall record and 10-6 in Northeast Conference play. The Knights earned the NEC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they advanced two rounds, beating Texas Southern and, of course, the stunning first-round win over the Boilermakers.

The victory over Purdue was just the second-ever win for a No. 16 seed over a No. 1 seed in tournament history.

The year before Anderson's arrival at Fairleigh Dickinson, the Knights posted a 4-22 record.

"Tobin Anderson is a widely respected coach who has excelled at every level of the game and has proven that he can lead a mid-major program to NCAA tournament victory," Iona President Seamus Carey said. "Iona is building a program of national prominence and Tobin has demonstrated that he is the leader to take us there."

SEE ALSO: Rick Pitino Confirms He Will Leave Iona For St. John's