Former Providence College basketball standout John Linehan and St. Anselm’s assistant coach John Mariano have been named to the Brown men’s basketball coaching staff in an announcement made by Bears’ head coach Mike Martin.
“I am thrilled about the additions that we have made to our staff and am excited to begin working with them to help prepare our program for both short and long term success,” said coach Martin, who is starting his fifth year as head coach of the Bears.
Linehan was a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2001, 2002), Bob Cousy Award (2002) and NCAA Defensive Player of the Year Award (2002) winner for the Friars. He is the NCAA all-time career record holder for steals (385).
“I remember not only competing against John in college, but also playing on some summer league teams with him during that time,” said Martin. “He was one of my all-time favorite teammates. All of the qualities that made him an outstanding player will make him an outstanding coach. He has terrific experience playing at a very high level in Europe and comes highly recommended from both Fran Dunphy and Bruiser Flint.”
Linehan comes to Brown from Drexel University, where he was an operations assistant in 2015-16. He worked as a graduate assistant coach at Temple in 2014-15, and worked as a volunteer assistant for the Delaware 87ers and Philadelphia 76ers in the summer of 2015. Linehan also has AAU coaching experience, working with Team Phoenix in Greensboro, NC, and Youth Interlock Society in Chester, PA.
A professional player from 2002-14, Linehan excelled in the French Pro A League, starting and captaining the SLUC Nancy squad (2010-13 and 2006-07) and the Cholet Basket squad from 2009-10. He was a four-time France Pro A-League Defensive Player of the Year (2005, 2006, 2010, 2011) and was the Defensive Player of the Year in the Estonian Pro A League (2009).
He also has experience in the CBA with the Dakota Wizards and with the Greenville Grove of the NBA D-League. Linehan played for the Harlem Globetrotters in 2004.
Mariano was the head assistant basketball coach at St. Anselm’s from 2012-16 and helped build four straight NCAA Division II Tournament teams. He coached and recruited six all-conference players, including two Northeast-10 Rookies of the Year and one Northeast-10 Player of the Year.
“John has had a great start to his career in college basketball, having been an assistant coach at St. Anselm’s the last four years,” said Martin. “He’s been very impressive to me since the first time I met him. He has both played for and worked with Keith Dickson, one of the most respected basketball coaches in the Northeast. He will bring great energy, knowledge, and organization to our program.”
A 2011 graduate of Saint Anselm, Mariano was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team and served as a captain his senior year. The Naugatuck, CT, native played in 113 games during his career for the Hawks, coming off the bench as a key role player while providing tremendous leadership both on and off the court.
Mariano was one of the team’s hardest workers and was a two-time recipient of the Al Grenert Coach’s Award, which is given to a player who exhibits supreme sacrifice, outstanding character and dedication to the team both on and off the court. Mariano was also a four-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
http://www.brownbears.com/sports/m-baskbl/2016-17/releases/20160718lcrujh
