Interim Director of Athletics and Physical Education Kim Culligan announced Monday morning that BJ Dunne has been tabbed to continue his term as the head coach of the Vassar College men’s basketball team after serving as an interim head coach in 2013-14.
"It is an honor to continue to serve as the head men’s basketball coach," said Dunne. "I am forever grateful to our athletic department and Vassar College for granting me this opportunity. Vassar holds a special place in my heart and I am excited to continue to build upon the great success we had in the 2013-2014 season."
Dunne saw unparalleled success in his first season as the head mentor of the Brewers, as he led VC to the Liberty League title game for the first time in program history, while also setting a new team record for wins in a season with 19. For his efforts, Dunne and his staff was recognized as a Co-Coaching Staff of the Year by the conference.
More importantly, Dunne and his troops helped change a culture of basketball here at the College in 2013-14. The intensity with which his teams played, and the passion and drive that was evident this season to the College community was one that led to the decision to keep Dunne at Vassar.
"His ability to change the culture of the men’s basketball program during his interim year is a tribute to his knowledge of the game and his dedication to every team member," said Culligan. "It was a tremendous transformation and an unprecedented one in that program."
The Brewers had three All-Liberty League honorees under the watchful eye of Dunne this season, including first-team selection Johnny Mrlik (San Francisco, CA/St. Ignatius). Mrlik was also a second-team All-East Region pick this year under Dunne, and Vassar recently was selected by the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association (CBOA) as the 2013-14 recipient of the prestigious Sam Schoenfeld Sportsmanship Award.
The award best exemplifies, "the highest degree of sportsmanship, character, and ethics among their players, coaches and spectators." Those qualities are exactly what Dunne’s team showed this year under his tutelage and guidance. On the floor, Dunne helped Vassar pick up its first Liberty League playoff win ever with a 66-62 win over Skidmore College, and also led VC to a nine-game winning streak during the year, one shy of the all-time mark.
The Brewers earned 10 conference victories for the first-time ever, and led the Liberty League in six statistical categories in 2013-14. Vassar College also put its name on the national level, as the Dunne-led Brewers placed in the top 50 in nine team statistical categories, including sitting at No. 8 in Division III in field goal defense.
"He is young, eager, enthusiastic and will work very hard to make Vassar Men’s Basketball a consistent contender in both the Liberty League and the NCAA. We are very glad to have him as our head coach," said Culligan.
"This is just the beginning for Vassar basketball, and with our passion and commitment to success, I believe we will achieve many great things," said Dunne. "Passion, energy and enthusiasm are highly contagious and I am excited to continue to share that with my student-athletes, the athletic department and Vassar College as a whole."
Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.
