CCSU names Patrick Sellers new men’s basketball coach

Central Connecticut State announced Monday afternoon it has officially named Patrick Sellers the new head coach of its men’s basketball program.

Sellers, who graduated from CCSU in 1991, becomes the 11th head coach of the program following the departure of previous coach Donyell Marshall.

“We are pleased to welcome back Mr. Sellers to the Blue Devil family, and we are counting on his leadership to help us rebuild our men’s basketball program,” said CCSU President Zulma R. Toro in Monday’s release.

Sellers returns to his alma mater after serving as an assistant coach for Fairfield for the past two seasons. He helped the Stags advance to the MAAC Championship game this year.

The South Carolina native has had assistant coaching roles at numerous programs, including UConn (20042010, Hofstra (2011-2013), Creighton (2013-2015) and DePaul (2015-2017). Before Fairfield, he spent two seasons at Fairleigh Dickinson from 2017-2019.

Sellers’ first collegiate coaching experience came at CCSU, when he helped the Blue Devils to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and 2002 as an assistant coach. During his four years with the program, the team recorded 81 games and won two regular season championships.

“Patrick’s experience in coaching is what we were looking for,” Tom Pincince, CCSU interim director of Athletics, said in Monday’s release. “His leadership qualities, vision and passion were evident throughout the interview process. He knows what it takes to be successful at CCSU and what the experience of being a Blue Devil does for our studentathletes.”

As a player for CCSU, Sellers was a team captain and earned the 1991 East Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. He graduated from the university with a degree in accounting. After college, he played professionally for three seasons overseas in the British Basketball League before beginning his coaching career.

“I am extremely grateful to President Toro and her leadership team, along with the search committee, for the opportunity to lead the Blue Devils. I have always had a special place in my heart for Central,” Sellers said in Monday’s release. “I look forward to adding to the successful legacy of Central Connecticut basketball and I am excited to get to work with our studentathletes.”

CCSU said Sellers will be introduced to the campus in the upcoming weeks at an event in Detrick Gymnasium.