Amherst, N.Y. - Daemen College President Dr.
Gary A. Olson and Director of Athletics/Special Assistant to the
President Bridget E. Niland introduced Mike MacDonald today as the
sixth head coach in the history of the Daemen men's basketball
program. The announcement was made at a press conference held
in Rosary Hall.
"Mike MacDonald brings significant NCAA head coaching experience
and a strong commitment to the welfare of student-athletes, both
athletically and academically," Olson said. "He will help us
make a strong entry into NCAA Division II membership."
MacDonald comes to Daemen with 26 years of collegiate coaching
experience under his belt, including 17 as a head coach. He
most recently spent the last eight years leading the men's
basketball team at Medaille College where he transformed the
program into a regional contender at the NCAA Division III
level. Inheriting a program that went 4-46 in the two years
prior to his arrival, MacDonald's version of the Mavericks averaged
18 wins a season, while advancing to the postseason six times.
Medaille's emergence as a Division III power in the Northeast was
cemented in the last five seasons, as MacDonald led the Mavericks
to more wins than any other Division III team in New York State,
while ranking 17th nationally in wins during the same time
frame.
MacDonald was named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference
Coach of the Year on four occasions (2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10,
2011-12). He leaves Medaille as the school's all-time leader
in wins (149) and winning percentage (.671).
Prior to his stint at Medaille, MacDonald served as the head coach
at Canisius College from 1997-2006, guiding the Golden Griffins to
108 wins which ranks him third in program history for coaching
victories. While there, he was one of only five coaches to
orchestrate a 20-win season, and was named the 2000-01 Basketball
Coaches Association of New York Co-Coach of the Year.
In 17 seasons as a collegiate head coach, MacDonald has achieved a
record of 257-225 (.533 winning percentage). Also, 68 of the
69 seniors he has coached have graduated.
Before being elevated to the head coaching post at Canisius,
MacDonald had been the Golden Griffins' top assistant coach under
John Beilein. In that role, MacDonald helped Canisius reach
the 1996 NCAA Tournament in addition to two National Invitation
Tournament appearances.
"Coach MacDonald's background connects well with each part of the
model for NCAA Division II athletics," Niland said. "We are
excited to welcome him and his family to the Daemen community."
"I would like to thank Dr. Olson and Bridget Niland for this
opportunity," MacDonald said. "Daemen has established a
strong reputation in Western New York and I'm looking forward as we
move to enhancing that reputation for the student-athletes as move
towards full NCAA Division II membership. I am excited for
the challenges that lie ahead."
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, MacDonald brings a
strong connection to the local community. His teams have been
active with a number of community organizations in the greater
Buffalo community and beyond, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of
Buffalo, Blessed Sacrament Athletic Club and Coaches vs.
Cancer. MacDonald and several of his players have also worked
with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Mayor Byron Brown's
office on the "Game Changers" program which provides academic and
athletic opportunities for inner-city youths during the summer
months.
MacDonald inherits a program at Daemen which has won 68 games over
the previous three seasons, including a 35-game home winning streak
which ranks as the second longest such streak in the country across
all divisions. The Wildcats are coming off a 21-7 campaign
last season which included a 17-3 mark in the East Coast
Conference, winning the league's regular season championship during
the program's first season as a member of the NCAA Division II
conference.
The new head coach also announced that the existing coaching staff
- associate head coach Mike Miranto and assistant coach David
Johnson - would remain intact moving forward.
Provided by the Daemen Sports Information Department.
