Mansfield University Interim Director of Athletics Kris Decker has announced that John Szentesy ’98 will serve as the interim head coach of the men’s basketball program.
“John has a long history with Mansfield men’s basketball and is a natural fit to be the next person to lead the program,” explained Decker. “We have a great group of returning student-athletes who have worked with John in the past, making for an easy transition.”
Szentesy has served as an assistant coach with Mountaineer men’s basketball since 2014, assisting in all aspects of the program. In his time at Mansfield, Szentesy helped coach five All-PSAC East selections including program all-time leading scorer Joe Bell.
He came to Mansfield University after coaching at Mansfield High School from 2007 to 2014. As an assistant coach with the Tigers, Szentesy helped the program capture three District IV medals including District and NTL titles in 2009. In that time, Mansfield qualified for Districts every season since 2007 except for two and won the 2013-14 NTL Small School Championship.
Szentesy got his start in coaching as a student-assistant with the Mansfield University men’s basketball program from 1994 to 1997. He was part of the 1996-97 team that won the PSAC East title before going on to win the PSAC Championship tournament at Decker Gymnasium. In that role, Szentesy worked under Head Coach Tom Ackerman who was named 1997 PSAC Coach of the Year.
Szentesy brings experience in the professional ranks, working with the Florida Sharks of the United States Basketball League (USBL) as an intern in 1995. The Sharks won the USBL Championship as an expansion team with a 26-1 record and Head Coach Eric Musselman was named USBL Coach of the Year. Szentesy worked with former and future NBA players Kevin Salvadori, Charles Smith, Jay Edwards, and Sylvester Gray.
The Fort Wayne, Ind. native earned his bachelors of arts in liberal studies from Mansfield University in 1998 and later earned his masters in elementary education from MU in 2012.
Following graduation, Szentesy was an assistant boys’ basketball coach at Manheim Township from 1997 to 1998 helping the program to a District III AAAA and Lancaster Lebanon League runner-up in 1998.
Szentesy returned to the college ranks as an assistant men’s basketball coach at NCAA Division III Marywood University from 1998 to 2000. He helped guide the Pacers to their first conference playoff berth in program history in 2000 working under Coach of the Year Doug Kraft.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program at my alma mater,” said Szentesy. “We have a great group of men that are working hard in preparation for the season and I look forward to continuing the work and foundation laid by Coach Zipfel.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have worked for so many successful coaches that served as mentors and prepared me for this opportunity. I truly appreciate the faith that Interim Director of Athletics Kris Decker and President Fackler have placed in me to lead this team.”
The Mountaineers open the 2018-19 season at the Shaw University Tournament on Nov. 10-11.
https://gomounties.com/news/2018/9/24/john-szentesy-98-named-mens-basketball-interim-head-coach.aspx
