George Halcovage III has been named the 15th head coach in University at Buffalo men’s basketball history, Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt announced on Thursday. A rising star in the coaching ranks, Halcovage comes to Buffalo from Villanova where he spent 15 years, most recently serving as associate head coach.
As a trusted assistant to legendary Villanova head coach Jay Wright , Halcovage helped lead the Wildcats to a record of 389-131 (.748), two national championships, four NCAA regional championships, seven Big East regular season championships and five Big East Tournament championships during his time there.
“It is an honor for me to announce George Halcovage III as the head coach for our UB men’s basketball program,” Alnutt said. “George has proven himself as one of the top assistant coaches in collegiate basketball. His knowledge of the game, energy, passion and work ethic allowed him to climb the proverbial ladder and assume the role of associate head coach at Villanova University.
“He has experience winning at the highest level, he’s a tenacious recruiter and has the exceptional ability to connect with people. He has a very clear vision of sustained excellence for UB Basketball which will position our program to regularly compete for MAC Championships and perform at a high level in the classroom while developing young men who will be champions in life. I am thrilled to welcome George and Lizzy Halcovage to our UB family!”
Halcovage was elevated to associate head coach in June 2021. That season, Halcovage helped lead Villanova to a 30-8 record, a Big East title and a spot in the Final Four in New Orleans.
Halcovage worked his way up the ranks at Villanova, beginning as a graduate assistant in 2008. He was a part of the Villanova staff that guided the Wildcats to the 2009 NCAA Final Four in Detroit. In 2010, he was promoted to video coordinator. He later was elevated to the role of director of basketball operations and served in that capacity during the Wildcats’ run to the 2016 NCAA National Championship. In 2017-18, he was an assistant coach as the Wildcats posted a 36-4 record on their way to another NCAA title.
“It is an incredible honor and privilege to be chosen as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach of the University at Buffalo,” Halcovage said. “From the moment my wife, Lizzy, and I arrived in Western New York, it felt like home, and we are beyond excited for this next chapter. I would like to thank President Tripathi, Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt and his wife Kate, as well as the entire search committee for their dedication, commitment, and belief in me as the leader of this program. I am thrilled to be joining the UB family and cannot wait to get to work in Buffalo! Horns Up!”
Halcovage was named to the list of Top 50 Most Impactful High-Major Assistants by Silver Waves Media in 2020 and 2022.
A native of Pottsville, PA, Halcovage is a 2008 graduate of Babson College where he was a member of the Beavers’ men’s basketball team. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Villanova in 2021.
He and his wife, Lizzy, are expecting their first child in July.
Halcovage will be formally introduced at a press conference next week.
What they are saying about George Halvovage III:
“George is one of the best coaches we’ve ever had at Villanova. He has recruited, developed, and mentored our players with passion. George is a great leader and basketball mind. We’ll miss him and Lizzy. The University at Buffalo is getting a creative, committed Head Basketball Coach. ” – Jay Wright (CBS / Former Villanova MBB Head Coach)
“George and I both came to Villanova in 2008 and we have grown up together in this business. As a coach he is an outstanding tactician and superb recruiter whose efforts were instrumental in this program’s success. On a personal level, he is a great friend, a brother, who will be an amazing head coach at the University of Buffalo. We are thrilled for George and Lizzy as they begin this new chapter of their lives.” – Kyle Neptune (Head Coach Villanova Men’s Basketball)
“Coach G is a great leader and basketball mind. He is more than prepared to lead UB Basketball and represent New York! At Villanova he had constant dialogue with his players and was always focused on doing what it took to help me become the best player I could possibly be every single day. I have great confidence that he will thrive as the Head Coach at UB!”
– Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks / Villanova MBB Alum)
“I have had the opportunity to watch Coach George Halcovage the past 10 years and I have no doubt he will do an incredible job at The University at Buffalo. George had a hand in every aspect of the Villanova Basketball program as an assistant coach to Jay Wright. He is a tremendous floor coach and tactician with a network of contacts that will help UB build an elite program in the MAC. George possesses the ability to communicate and connect with players while understanding that the role of a head coach is not only to win games but help build a bridge for players to cross after graduation. I look forward to following his and UB’s success.” – Seth Greenberg (ESPN / Former Head Coach Virginia Tech)
