The Fairleigh Dickinson men’s basketball program will welcome three additions to the coaching staff, Head Coach Greg Herenda announced Monday. Joining Herenda on his staff will be Associate Head Coach Bruce Hamburger and assistant coaches Zak Boisvert and Dwayne Lee.
“I really like the diversity and balance of our staff,” Herenda said. “There is a great blend of experience, youth and talent. I am very excited about working together as a group to begin rebuilding our program.”
Associate Head Coach Bruce Hamburger
Hamburger moves from Jersey City to Hackensack after coaching at Saint Peter’s the last three seasons. The Peacocks made the NCAA Tournament during his first year (2010-11), resulting in the 10th team to make the NCAA Tournament in his 16 years as an assistant coach.
“Bruce brings an incredible amount of experience and expertise to our program,” Herenda said. “I am very lucky to have a coach who has not only been on a Final Four bench, but has head coaching experience and ties to the entire state of New Jersey, which will prove to be a tremendous addition to my staff.”
Prior to working at Saint Peter’s, Hamburger was an assistant coach at Caldwell College, after spending two seasons as an assistant coach for the New York Liberty of the WNBA.
Along with his time at Caldwell and in the WNBA, Hamburger brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the Knights’ staff. He served as the head coach at Kean University for 11 years, where he is the all-time winningest coach. Hamburger coached his alma mater to four appearances in the ECAC Tournament, winning the ECAC title in 2005, and advanced to the finals again in 2006. He also led Kean to an appearance in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament in 2001.
Prior to coaching at Kean, Hamburger was an assistant coach at Seton Hall under P.J. Carlesimo for nine years, beginning in 1986. The Pirates won two Big East Tournament titles and made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament during his tenure, including the 1989 run to the NCAA championship game.
Hamburger began his coaching career in 1984 at Trenton State, where he was an assistant coach under Kevin Bannon for two seasons.
"I am excited to join the FDU family, I look forward to working with Coach Herenda and the rest of the coaching staff and players, and making the FDU program successful," Hamburger said. "Having worked with Greg (Herenda) at Seton Hall, I know the passion and commitment that he will put into making the FDU program excel both on and off the court. I am eager to contribute any way I can."
Hamburger graduated from Kean in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education. He also holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Education from Seton Hall.
Saint Peter’s head coach John Dunne on Coach Hamburger: “Bruce is the ultimate professional. He brings knowledge in all areas for a program. Fairleigh Dickinson is getting a guy that has a wealth of different experiences to share while having the energy level of a first-year assistant.”
Assistant Coach Zak Boisvert
Boisvert comes to FDU after spending one season as an assistant coach at Iona, where he assisted in leading the Gaels to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
“Zak is a tireless worker and a young coach who has established tremendous recruiting ties throughout the entire metropolitan area and beyond,” Herenda said. “In addition, Zak has a great basketball mind and will be a great addition to our program.”
Prior to coaching at Iona, Boisvert spent one year with the Hoop Group, a basketball instruction organization in Neptune, N.J. With the Hoop Group, Boisvert directed the organization’s grassroots basketball division, working with the nation’s premiere AAU basketball clubs. He coordinated and organized the Under Armour Championship Series events: The Hoop Group Jam Fests in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Boisvert was also at Iona during the 2010-11 season, serving as the Gaels’ recruiting coordinator after graduating from Fordham in 2010. In the role, Boisvert was also responsible for video exchange, film breakdown, academics, and practice and game planning. Iona posted a 25-12 record and appearances in both the MAAC and CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament championship games.
At Fordham, Boisvert served as a team manager for four seasons, where he assisted the staff in team travel, recruiting coordination, video exchange, individual workouts, and day-to-day program management. Along with his duties at Fordham, Boisvert spent his summers working several camps around the Northeast, including Hoop Group, Five-Star, and Hoop Mountain.
“I’ve known Coach Herenda for a long time and what’s most impressive is his commitment to the development of student-athletes not only on the court, but off the court as well,” Boisvert said. “I’ve long-admired the passion in which his teams play with, his work ethic and his family-oriented approach.”
The Portland, Maine native is a 2010 graduate of Fordham and 2006 graduate of Deering High School.
Iona head coach Tim Cluess on Coach Boisvert: “Zak is a hard working, up-and-coming basketball coach with a great mind. He is a true student of the game and is passionate about basketball. Zak does a great job with individuals and is good with x’s and o’s. He will work hard at FDU and will become a great coach. Zak was a big part of our program and we are really happy for him.”
Hoop Group president Rob Kennedy on Coach Boisvert: “I have been very lucky and fortunate to work with a number of really hardworking, passionate basketball people at the Hoop Group but none has worked harder and more passionate than Zak. He is a relentless recruiter and a tremendous student of the game. He was very instrumental in Iona’s success, and I think he will have the same type of success at FDU.”
Assistant Coach Dwayne Lee
Lee starts his career as an assistant coach in Hackensack after serving as the graduate manager at Northeast Conference rival Wagner last season, where the Seahawks finished 19-12 (12-6 NEC) and made the semifinals in the NEC Tournament for the second year in a row.
“Dwayne brings a wealth of winning playing experience to our program and has played for some of the games great coaches,” Herenda said. “Dwayne will immediately help with player development and will serve as a terrific role model for all of our players. Dwayne will undoubtedly become a rising star in the coaching ranks very quickly.”
Lee earned four letters while playing in two NCAA Tournaments for Saint Joseph’s from 2002-2006. Over his first two years on Hawk Hill, the Jersey City native served as a back-up point guard to 2004 National Player of the Year and Orlando Magic All-Star guard Jameer Nelson. As a sophomore, Lee helped the Hawks to a perfect regular season, 30 wins and a berth in the Elite Eight.
He then made the seamless transition to starter for his final two years with the Hawks, guiding the Philadelphia-based school to the finals of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) as a junior and a pair of Atlantic 10 Tournament championship game appearances. All told, Lee was a part of 96 wins, the second best total for a four-year class in school history, while finishing 11th with 371 assists.
Additionally, Lee was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team as a junior, while earning Most Improved Player honors from the Philadelphia Big 5. Following his time at Saint Joseph’s, Lee played professionally for the Sellbytel Baskets in Germany’s top division, before helping the Vermont Frost Heaves to the ABA Championship. He then concluded his playing career with Etha Basketball in the first division of the Cyprus League.
Lee played prep ball at St. Anthony High School, under the direction of legendary Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley, helping the Friars to two straight New Jersey State Tournament of Champions titles and a No. 2 National Ranking by USA Today.
"I am very excited to be joining the staff here at FDU," Lee said. "Coach Herenda is a well-respected coach in this business, and I am excited to be part of what he has planned for this program going forward. I am going to bring tons of energy, excitement and the experience of coaching in the NEC last season. I am looking forward to big things in the near future."
Lee graduated from Saint Joseph’s in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
St. Anthony head coach Bob Hurley on Coach Lee: “First of all, I am very excited to see Greg (Herenda) take over as coach at FDU because he has been a friend of mine for decades, and was a camper at my basketball camps growing up. I am even more excited by his hire of Dwayne Lee. Dwayne is one of my favorite kids I have ever been associated with. The hiring of Dwayne was a great move for the University and a terrific opportunity for Dwayne. I know this will be a relationship that will get FDU back in the running in the NEC.”
Saint Joseph head coach Phil Martelli on Coach Lee: “In the long and proud tradition of Saint Joseph’s University, no one has brought more honor to his family name, this program and this University than Dwayne Lee. His future in the coaching profession is bright and without limit."
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