University of Pittsburgh head coach Kevin Stallings announced the addition of assistant coach Sam Ferry to his coaching staff for the 2017-18 season, Wednesday afternoon. Ferry has spent the past six years at Monmouth University, including the past four seasons as an assistant coach.
“Sam is a tireless worker on the court and on the recruiting trail,” said Stallings. “He has established great recruiting ties across the Northeast and down into Virginia. His energy and enthusiasm for the game of basketball are infectious and his ability to connect with players is impressive. Sam is an outstanding addition to our staff and will make a significant impact as we build our program here at Pitt.”
Ferry joined King Rice’s staff at Monmouth in 2011 as the director of operations and was promoted to the position of assistant coach prior to the 2013-14 season. Ferry was an integral part of the program’s success in 2015-16, including winning a school-record 28 games and the MAAC regular season title. As a result, Ferry was named to the Under Armour 30-under-30 Team as part of the NABC’s Guardians of the Game Awards, recognizing 30 men’s basketball coaches under the age of 30. This past season the Hawks posted a 27-7 record, while claiming the MAAC regular season title and reaching the NIT for the second consecutive season.
Ferry played a major role in recruiting for the Hawks, developing ties in the northeast through New England and across the Maryland and Virginia areas. The Providence, R.I., native helped bring in pieces of the roster that won 106 games and made two NIT appearances in his six seasons at Monmouth. He also handled sections of player development, practice and scouting reports for the Monmouth program.
Another significant piece of Ferry’s responsibilities included the team’s academics, and under Ferry, Monmouth men’s basketball was recognized by the NCAA in 2016 for its multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) and placed to the Division I Academic Performance Program (APP). The program saw 15 of 15 seniors graduate in his time.
A 2010 graduate of Vanderbilt with a degree in Human and Organizational Development, Ferry worked for four years as a student manager including as the head manager as a senior before being appointed to the Commodores basketball staff in the summer of 2010. Ferry spent the 2010-11 season as the Vanderbilt director of video operations.
“Sam is a star in the making,” said Rice, who also worked alongside Ferry with the Commodores. “He is a very energetic young man that can mentor and teach young men.”
Ferry was a varsity basketball player and team captain at Moses Brown High School, and was part of Vanderbilt’s four NCAA Tournament teams in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.
