Gannon University men’s basketball head coach John T. Reilly has announced the addition of Andy Stark to the program’s coaching staff. Stark replaces Thurman Schaetzle who recently moved to Buffalo, N.Y. with his wife following their wedding this summer.
Stark arrives at Gannon after spending last season as a graduate assistant coach at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Md. His responsibilities included recruiting, scouting, film breakdown, practice scouting sessions and individual workout sessions. Academically, he oversaw student-athletes’ class schedules and progress. Stark also developed two Prospect Camps per season to help bolster recruiting and fundraising.
“I would like to thank (Gannon Director of Athletics) Lisa Goddard McGuirk and Coach John Reilly for the opportunity to work at such a prestigious university,” said Stark. “I am honored to be able to watch our student-athletes perform at the highest levels in the classroom as well as be a championship contender year in and year out on the court. The Gannon University men’s basketball team has a rich tradition and it is something I am excited to be a part of.”
Stark previously served as the head student assistant at his alma mater St. Bonaventure (N.Y.) University. While with the NCAA Division I Bonnies, he helped lead the program to its first-ever Atlantic-10 Conference championship during the 2011-12 season and advance to the NCAA Tournament Second Round.
While at St. Bonaventure, Stark helped mentor Andrew Nicholson, an Associated Press All-American and 2012 A-10 Player of the Year. Nicholson was later selected by the Orlando Magic in the first round (No. 19 overall) of the 2012 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft.
In addition to his coaching tenures at St. Bonaventure and Stevenson, Stark has also worked for The Hoop Group, where he served as Head Runner (2011-14) and Elite Team Camp Director (2015).
Stark spent his prep career at Gananda (N.Y.) High School where he earned 12 varsity letters as a multi-sport student-athlete in soccer, basketball and golf. He is no stranger to the region as his sister is currently a freshman lacrosse student-athlete at Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rival Slippery Rock University.
Stark graduated from St. Bonaventure in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications. He is currently working towards his master’s degree in communication studies.
