The College of Staten Island Athletics program has named Nicholas Doran as its new Interim Head Coach for Men’s Basketball. Doran, formerly the Associate Head Coach, takes over for T.J. Tibbs, who was elevated to Interim Director of Athletics in late-March.
“I am so excited for Nick as he is a natural fit to take over and is extremely deserving,” said Tibbs. “He has been an integral piece to the program and its successes since he arrived. Nick has thoroughly prepared himself to lead a program and he has been a Head Coach in my eyes for years. I am looking forward to supporting him as he takes over this new role.”
No stranger to the sidelines, Doran began his career at the College of Staten Island in 2014 under then Head Coach Tony Petosa, becoming immediately invested in all facets of the program, including recruiting, scouting, and player development. His appointment as an assistant continued under Tibbs beginning in 2017, until he was elevated into the Associate Head Coach position in 2020.
“The best way I can describe it is surreal,” Doran states. “I love our program and part of the reason why is how it has been run since I’ve been here. It’s an honor for me knowing I am following in the footsteps of people like Tony and T.J. Holding myself to the same expectations they have had for the program is why I feel prepared to run it as well as they did. They have set up a great example and I’m excited for the opportunity to lead during this time.”
Doran is taking over a College of Staten Island basketball program with a long history of excellence on the NCAA Division III level. During his time as an assistant coach alone, the Dolphins amassed a 102-47 record, collecting a pair of CUNYAC Championships (losing another on a buzzer-beater) and an ECAC Metro NY/NJ Championship in 2015. The Dolphins scored a 9-16 record in 2019-20, set against the backdrop of a rigorous Division II non-conference schedule, but saw their 2020-21 installment wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With CSI eyeing East Coast Conference competition for the first time in 2021-22, now is a critical time in the development of the program, something not lost on Doran.
“I think we have understood that this has been about development over time,” Doran explained. “We have put together a great group of guys and we are prepared to run our program with many of the same values and systems that T.J. has installed because we have worked on them together as a full staff and believe in them. We’re going to continue to run our program with excellence in mind.”
A coach, official, and talent evaluator for the Hoop Group Organization, Doran was a former Assistant Boys Basketball Coach for both Junior Varsity and Varsity squads at Port Richmond High School on Staten Island. He is a graduate of Kean University, after playing collegiate basketball at Wesley College in Delaware. Doran has also lent his talents outside of basketball at CSI as well, serving as a Co-Host for The Dolphin Pod, CSI’s Official Athletics Podcast since July of 2020. He will serve in his new role at CSI in a part-time, interim role, until such time as the search for a permanent appointment is conducted. Being a veteran of the staff has helped him as he looks to continue the momentum set forth by former coach Tibbs and the remainder of the assistant coaching staff.
“The biggest focus is on the development of our young players,” Doran explained. “We brought in a great group of freshmen that we feel are capable of playing at a high level and with the right opportunities and instruction, can really excel and lift CSI to the next level. One thing that COVID has done is put a lot of programs on the same playing field with having to reset in many ways and rebuild. I think in many ways we are right where we need to be and once we can get in the gym and take the next steps and make the kind of progressions we are capable of then our future is very bright.”
Despite the COVID pause and the limitations it continues to place on team activity, Doran knows that his work begins immediately, as CSI Men’s Basketball traverses the remainder of the spring semester in time for summer break and the introduction of the 2021-22 competitive year, what CSI hopes will be their final year of provisional status within the ECC and NCAA Division II.
“I think it’s a very important year for us in terms of our provisional status and what we expect once we become a full member, but everything has bet set up for us to excel, and that’s what important,” Doran said. “The entire athletics program has been preparing a great deal to put us in a position to have success, and for me to be put in a spot like this is great. I know we have a great support system in place and everyone is working together to make sure our student-athletes and coaches will achieve whatever goals we set for ourselves.”
Doran will be joined on the sidelines by veteran assistants Orin Mckay, Jr. and Kurt Manesy, along with Steven Diaz.
Doran elevated to Interim Head Coach at College of Staten Island
