SUNY Morrisville Director of Athletics, Matt Grawrock, announced the hiring of Bryan Wickliffe as the next head coach for the men’s basketball program beginning immediately.
“My family and I are beyond excited to become a part of the SUNY Morrisville family,” Wickliffe said. “I am looking forward to guiding the young men in the basketball program through their journey as student-athletes at this special institution.
“I want to personally thank the Athletic Director, Matt Grawrock and the search committee for the opportunity to lead the Men’s Basketball program. I am excited to take on the challenges during our pursuit of excellence on and off the court.
“Finally, I want to thank family and friends for their support through this coaching journey with me. Let’s go Mustangs!”
“As we went through the process looking for the next coach, Bryan kept pushing himself to the top of the candidate pool. Our engagements with him were genuine and full of enthusiasm for our program and for Morrisville.
“Bryan is coming from a great basketball program, and I have every confidence that he can translate that success to our program as we take our first steps in the SUNYAC.”
Wickliffe spent the past two seasons on the sidelines as assistant coach with the Case Western Reserve University men’s basketball program, where the program reached unparalleled success in each season.
Joining the CWRU staff in 2022, Wickliffe helped guide the Spartans to the University Athletic Association Championship and round of 32 in the NCAA tournament. The following season, CWRU claimed a second UAA title, and reached the Sweet Sixteen Regional Round, while establishing yet another program record in wins in a season and highest national ranking in program history in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll (second).
Over the course of two seasons with the Spartans, CWRU went 45-9 overall while having a pair earn All-American accolades for prowess on the court.
Wickliffe began his coaching career on the sidelines of the College of Wooster in 2011, serving as an assistant for the Scots’ program that for four years prior saw him capping off a stellar playing career with over 1,000 points and 750 rebounds, four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and a 102-21 overall record.
During his time on the bench for Wooster, the program reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen round in back-to-back seasons, while serving as the junior varsity head coach.
Wickliffe assumed the assistant men’s basketball coach role in 2013 at Heidelberg University for five seasons, also heading up the men’s and women’s tennis program for a two-year stint, before taking the assistant role at Muskingum in 2018.
Involved with all day-to-day operations of the men’s basketball program at Muskingum University, Wickliffe was also responsible for player development, game planning, scouting and recruiting, in addition to his development of a mentorship program called “7 Ways of Being Academically Successful in College.”
Wickliffe also helped to create an African American Male group on Muskingum’s campus, called Brothas of the Village (BoV) and provided mentorship to young men involved with the program.
“Bryan has an engaging and sincere personality, and his energy for Morrisville was palpable – everyone he came in contact with came away saying there was something special about him,” Grawrock said.
“I truly believe he’s going to be a force on the recruiting trail, and will help develop the young men who come here into fantastic students, basketball players, and people.”
“I think Bryan is the whole package for a coach, and I believe we’ve found a leader who is going to transform our program, and by extension, our athletic department. I am excited for these next steps, and can’t wait I can’t wait to see his team compete and represent us.”
Wickliffe received his bachelor of arts degree in history from Wooster, before earning his master of education degree from Heidelberg.
Morrisville enters the 2024-25 season as a member of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) after putting together a 20-5 overall record a year ago. Wickliffe’s squad will make their season debut November 14 on their home court, hosting Houghton University.
D3 NEWS: Wickliffe named Head Basketball Coach at SUNY Morrisville
