Marist names Dunne as head coach
Joins Red Foxes after 12-year stint at Saint Peter’s University
Veteran coach John Dunne, who led Saint Peter’s University to a historic win in the MAAC men’s basketball tournament last month, has been named as the new head coach at Marist College.
Dunne will be introduced at an 11 a.m. press conference at McCann Arena on Thursday.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome John and his family to the Hudson River Valley,” Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray said in a press release. “With over a decade of experience as a head coach, he has proven to build teams and develop student-athletes. His teams are always tough, hard-working and competitive in the MAAC and we look forward to coach Dunne instilling that culture in our basketball program.”
Dunne was head coach at Saint Peter’s for 12 seasons. The Peacocks became the first No. 9 seed in MAAC tournament history to knock off a No. 1 seed and reach the semifinals with a 66-55 triumph over Rider. That was Dunne’s 152nd victory, making him Saint Peter’s second-winningest coach. The (14-18) Peacocks lost to Iona 65-62 in the semis.
He replaces Mike Maker, who had a 28-97 record in four seasons with the Red Foxes. Marist was 6-25 in 2017-18, losing in the first round of the MAAC tourney.
“This is a great opportunity for myself and my family,” Dunne said in the release. “We’re excited to join the Marist and Hudson River Valley communities. Having been in the MAAC the past 12 years, I’ve been impressed by the tremendous support this program has received. We’re excited for what this job has
the potential to become.”
Under Dunne, Saint Peter’s increased its win total in each of his first five seasons, culminating in a MAAC title and a berth in the NCAA tournament in 2011. The Peacocks won the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) in ‘17.
“Twelve years ago, Saint Peter’s took a chance on me as a firsttime head coach,” Dunne said. “The University afforded me the opportunity to learn and grow as its head men’s basketball coach and I would like to thank the Saint Peter’s University staff and student-athletes for proving to me how rewarding coaching can be.”
Dunne was the career leader in steals when he graduated from Ithaca College in 1992. Dunne had two stints as assistant at Wilkes University from 1992-94 and 199596. Between those stints, he was an assistant at Western Michigan during 1994-95.
After earning his master’s in sports management from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, Dunne served two years as an assistant at Adelphi under current Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford. After that, Dunne spent one season at Manhattan College, two seasons at Siena, then six at Seton Hall, before securing his first head coaching job at Saint Peter’s.