Following up on something that I mentioned in the Daily Dirt on 7/2…
Jason Geleski, who began his coaching career 24 years ago and has experience on both the collegiate and high school levels, has been named the new Centenary University men’s basketball head coach by Director of Athletics, Travis Spencer.
Geleski, who served as an assistant coach for the Cyclones in 2018-19 becomes the 10th head coach in program history.
“I am excited to announce Jason as our next head coach for men’s basketball,” said Spencer. “His rapport with the current team members and his high level recruiting made this decision quite simple. With the number of returnees from a strong season, it was important for us to keep as much continuity as possible. Jason has been with this team for the past year plus and has done a fantastic job. I look forward to working with him so we can progress this program to an even higher level.”
Geleski played an integral role in the development of the men’s basketball team last season. He assisted in recruiting, practice and game/opponent preparation. Geleski was responsible for the Cyclones recruiting Billy Veras, who was named the 2018-19 CSAC Rookie of the Year. With Geleski on the bench, the Cyclones led the CSAC in scoring defense while guard Chris LaBelle finished second in the league in scoring.
“I am extraordinarily proud and excited to become the head men’s basketball coach at Centenary University,” said Geleski. “I would like to thank our Director of Athletics Travis Spencer, the CU administration and Coach Pitts for affording me this opportunity to lead the program. In addition, I would like to thank my former coaches, especially Jose Rebimbas, and players for working with me in the past to bring me forward to this special moment in my life. I believe that Centenary University offers student/athletes a unique opportunity to grow on and off the court. We have all of the pieces to keep moving the men’s basketball program forward and we will build on last season’s improvements.”
Geleski is enrolled in the Master of Leadership and Public Administration program at Centenary.
Before coming to Centenary, Geleski spent three years as the head boys basketball coach at Kittatinny Regional High School. There he led the team to a second place finish in the NJAC Colonial Division, which at the time was the best conference finish in the program’s history. One of Geleski’s players became the first player from Kittatinny in 30 years to play collegiate and three players he coached are currently playing in college. He also had a player named Second Team All-Area by the NJ Herald after establishing new individual game and season scoring and shooting records at Kittatinny.
Geleski served as the head men’s and women’s basketball coach at Hostos Community College in Bronx, New York for just over a year. While he was there, he coached a Third Team All-American and one of his players was named the Region XVI Player of the Year. Geleski also helped the basketball program post the highest team GPA in Hostos athletic history to that date.
He served two stints as an assistant coach at William Paterson for his former head coach Rebimbas. There he helped coach several players that went to receive all-conference accolades.
Geleski got his coaching start on the inaugural men’s basketball staff at Felician College in 1995. He was an assistant coach before assuming the head-coaching mantle during the 1996-97 season. While Geleski was in charge at Felician, the Golden Falcons were among the national leaders in three-point field goals made, three-point field goal percentage, and field goal percentage. Geleski also had a player among the national individual leaders in those categories.
Geleski earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Montclair State. While playing for coach Rebimbas, he set the program record for best three point field goal percentage and ranks among several other shooting categories. Geleski and the Red Hawks qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1994 and 1995 and that was the last time a Montclair State team earned back-to-back tournament bids.
Geleski is a U.S. Army Combat Veteran. He served for more than 12 years (reserve and active duty) as an enlisted rifleman and ultimately became an Infantry Officer. While deployed in Iraq, he served as the Executive Officer (XO) of an Air Assault Infantry Rifle Company in the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) that conducted extensive combat operations in the Sunni Triangle.
Geleski is married to Deborah Boulac. Boulac has won multiple Emmy Awards as a producer for CBS Sports and is a former letter winner for Notre Dame softball. The Geleski’s and their daughter, Tessa Bear, reside on a working farm in Sussex County.
