David Muchnick has joined the men’s basketball coaching staff at John Jay College of Criminal Justice for the 2017-18 season, head men’s basketball coach Ryan Hyland has announced.
Muchnick comes to the John Jay College coaching staff with 12 years of Division III experience at four different institutions in three different states. Most recently, Muchnick was the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Maine Maritime Academy for the past three seasons. In his tenure rebuilding the program, he led the Mariners to their best conference record since 2010-11, and is responsible for the best shooting team in school history in 2016-17 with a 37.2% team three-point percentage. His offense was also known to be one of the most efficient and unselfish in the North Atlantic Conference, leading the league in total assists with 392 in 2016-17, good for third all-time in school history.
“It’s great to be able to add a coach of David’s caliber to our already outstanding coaching staff,” Hyland said. “His experience is surely something that will help take our program to the next level. Having another coach on staff who has led a program will be an invaluable asset heading into this season.”
Before Maine Maritime, Muchnick coached from 2010-14 at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Muchnick began his time in Kings Point as the program’s top assistant for his first three-and-a-half years and was responsible for the largest and most geographically diverse recruiting class in school history, bringing in 10 freshmen from nine different states in 2012. Muchnick assumed the head coaching position at Merchant Marine in January 2014 when the Mariners were in last place in the Landmark Conference. With Muchnick at the helm, USMMA compiled a 6-6 record the remainder of the season, including victories in 6 of 7 games at one point, leading to a berth in the Landmark Conference Semifinals. At the end of the 2013-14 season, Muchnick received the Merchant Marine Academy’s Dr. Stephen “Bill” Omeltchenko Coach of the Year Award.
Before a two year stint as an assistant coach at Denison University in Granville, Ohio from 2008-2010, Muchnick began his coaching career as the top assistant at SUNY Cortland from 2005-2008 and helped the Red Dragons to a 55-29 record during his tenure. His time in Cortland is highlighted by a NCAA Division III Tournament second round appearance, a SUNYAC Regular Season Championship, and a member of the SUNYAC Coaching Staff of the Year, all during the 2005-06 season.
Combined over 12 years, Muchnick has recruited and coached 17 All-Conference performers, 14 1,000-point scorers, two NCAA All-Americans and two international professionals. Muchnick is also an avid participant in the NABC Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers weekend and has organized awareness games and fundraisers for both the American Cancer Society and Autism Speaks organizations.
Muchnick is a 2005 graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. He was a four-year member of the basketball team and was a captain his senior season. Muchnick finished in the top 10 in program history with a 41.4% three-point percentage and helped his team go 60-47, including a 20-9 mark and ECAC Championship in 2003-04. Muchnick also earned a Master of Science degree in Sports Management in 2008 from SUNY Cortland.
“We are very excited to get David on the court with us on October 15th,” added Hyland.
