WPI Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Bartley has announced the hiring of John Salivonchik as a full-time assistant coach. Salivonchik joins the Engineers after three seasons as an assistant coach at Saint Michael’s College and replaces Riley Naclerio, who took over as head coach at his alma mater, St. Lawrence, last month.
During his three seasons at Saint Michael’s, Salivonchik was part of a Purple Knights program that experienced significant postseason success. In 2025-26, Saint Michael’s advanced to the Northeast-10 Conference Championship title game and earned its second NCAA Division II Championship appearance in three seasons. The Purple Knights also enjoyed a historic 2023-24 campaign, finishing 24-9 after capturing the NE10 regular-season championship with a 17-5 conference record and advancing to the NCAA East Regional final.
“John has demonstrated the commitment and talent in recruiting and developing student-athletes at Saint Michael’s College and Western New England University,” said Bartley. “He was highly recommended by Coach Eaton and Coach Tabb, two outstanding head coaches. Coach Sal has earned this next step in his career as our full-time assistant coach, and he is well prepared for success.”
The 2023-24 Saint Michael’s squad hosted the NCAA Division II East Regional Championship and advanced to the regional final while earning national recognition throughout the season. Working alongside head coach Eric Eaton, the Purple Knights also established a school record with 353 made 3-pointers.
“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to join such a prestigious men’s basketball program and staff here at WPI,” said Salivonchik. “I would like to thank Dana Harmon, Coach Bartley and the entire athletic department for selecting me for this position. I look forward to helping build upon and further advance the success this program has achieved throughout the years. I am excited to get to work with our players, help them grow both on and off the court, and create lasting relationships throughout the WPI community!”
Prior to Saint Michael’s, Salivonchik spent four seasons at Western New England University, helping the Golden Bears compile a 50-35 overall record and a 33-19 mark in Commonwealth Coast Conference play. In 2022-23, Western New England finished 21-7 and reached the CCC Championship game, with four all-conference players on the roster recruited by Salivonchik. Among them was Jake Harrison, who earned CCC Player of the Year honors along with NABC Second Team All-America and D3hoops.com All-Region First Team recognition. During his time at Western New England, Salivonchik also gained additional recruiting and event-management experience through roles with BasketBull, Zero Gravity Basketball and the Hoop Group.
Salivonchik began his collegiate basketball career at Quinnipiac University, where he spent four years as a men’s basketball team manager, including three years as head manager. He earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Quinnipiac in 2019 before completing a master’s degree in sports leadership and coaching from Western New England in 2022.
D3 NEWS: Salivonchik named Assistant Basketball Coach at WPI
