Iona College has announced a contract extension for men’s basketball head coach Tim Cluess through the 2024-25 season. The extension adds three years to Cluess’ previous deal.
“We are very proud of the unprecedented success – both academically and athletically – Coach Cluess has had with our men’s basketball program. We look forward to his leadership for at least the next seven seasons and for him to be at Iona for the remainder of his career.” said President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D. “Three straight MAAC Championships and five NCAA tournament appearances in the last seven years is a truly remarkable accomplishment and we continue to be thrilled about the future of our basketball Gaels.”
“The support the Iona College community, alumni and all of Gael Nation shows our program year in and year out makes Iona a special place for the coaching staff, myself and my family,” said Cluess. “Additionally, the continued support shown by President Nyre, Rick Cole and our entire administration continues to push our program to reach new heights. I look forward to adding to the legacy and further growth of Iona basketball.”
The 2017-18 campaign produced continued success for Iona men’s basketball as the Gaels became just the third MAAC program in history to win back-to-back-to-back conference tournament championships. By appearing in the last three NCAA tournaments, Iona joined Gonzaga and South Dakota State as the lone mid-major programs to participate in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 brackets. Iona’s five appearances in the last seven years is only equaled or exceeded on the mid-major level by the two previously mentioned schools and New Mexico State.
Under Cluess, Iona has won 20 or more games and participated in a national postseason tournament in each of his eight seasons. The Gaels have also earned a MAAC regular season or tournament championship in each of the last seven seasons.
Following his eighth season, Cluess continued his rise in the ranks in MAAC lore. His fourth MAAC tournament championship tied La Salle’s Speedy Morris for most all-time in league history. His program’s eighth 20+ win campaign is now three more than Morris’ Explorers accomplished from 1986-1992. Cluess’ seventh MAAC championship game appearance is two more than 15-year Niagara head coach Joe Mihalch. With three more victories this season, his 19 all-time MAAC tournament wins surpassed Mihalich’s mark of 18. Cluess’ 112 MAAC wins in eight years is third-most all-time. He stands behind Mihalich’s 166 wins in 15 seasons and Jimmy Patsos’ 132 wins in 14 seasons during his stints at Loyola Maryland and Siena.
Iona’s 182 wins and .664 winning percentage in the Cluess-era are highest among the 23 NCAA Division I schools in the New York Metropolitan area. The Maroon & Gold have also appeared in more NCAA tournaments (5) and total postseason events (8) than any other team in the New York area.
Individually, seven Iona players have earned 15 All-Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association selections since 2011. Mike Glover, Scott Machado, Lamont Jones, Sean Armand, A.J. English, and Jordan Washington have combined for 11 All-Met First Team honors, the most among MBWA schools. Machado and Jones earned the prestigious Haggerty Award in 2012 and 2013, as the top performer in the Metropolitan Area.
Among the 22 NCAA Division I schools in New York State, Iona’s total wins and winning percentage are second to the ACC’s Syracuse over the last eight seasons. The Maroon & Gold’s eight 20+ win seasons top the New York State leaderboard.
TIM CLUESS COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT IONA:
Record at Iona: 182-92 (.664) / eight seasons
Overall NCAA Record: 280-115 (.709) / 12 seasons
Career Head Coach*: 567-203 (.736) / 28 seasons
*- includes record at St. Mary’s Manhasset HS and Suffolk CC
2018 MAAC Tournament Champion / NCAA Tournament Appearance
2017 MAAC Tournament Champion / NCAA Tournament Appearance
2016 MAAC Tournament Champion / NCAA Tournament Appearance
2015 MAAC Regular Season Champion / NIT Appearance
2014 MAAC Regular Season Champion / NIT Appearance
2013 MAAC Tournament Champion / NCAA Tournament Appearance
2012 MAAC Regular Season Champion / NCAA Tournament At-Large Berth
2011 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament Finalist
11 All-MAAC First Team Performers
(A.J. English 3x, Mike Glover 2x, Scott Machado 2x, Sean Armand, Lamont Jones, David Laury, Jordan Washington)
Six All-MAAC Second Team Performers
(Armand, Jones, Laury, Schadrac Casimir, Washington, Rickey McGill)
One All-MAAC Third Team Performer
(Laury)
Two MAAC All-Rookie Team Performers
(Casimir, E.J. Crawford)
Three MAAC Players of the Year
(Machado, Jones, Laury)
One MAAC Rookie of the Year
(Casimir)
Four MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Performers
(Jones, English, Washington, Zach Lewis)
Two New York Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Players of the Year
(Machado, Jones)
One MAAC Coach of the Year
(Cluess, 2014)
