After 18 seasons at the helm of New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) men’s basketball, Sal Lagano has announced that will be leaving the Bears, effective the end of the spring 2015 semester. Current assistant coach Rob Isme (B.S. ’12) has been named Interim Head Coach for the 2015-2016 season.
“We thank Coach Lagano for his passion and dedication to the NYIT men’s basketball program for the last 18 season and wish him the best of luck in future endeavors,” said Francy Magee, Acting Director of Athletics. “Rob Isme will step into the interim head coach role for the upcoming season and we will follow with a national search.”
“There is no better place to start my career than my alma mater,” said Isme, a graduate of NYIT’s hospitality management program. “I am truly blessed that Duane [Bailey] has given me the opportunity to continue with the Bears as well as learn from his leadership in the upcoming season.”
Isme joined the Bears as an assistant coach in 2007 after serving as the varsity assistant coach for three seasons at St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, N.Y. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the freshman team in 2005-2006, and became the head junior varsity coach from 2006 to 2008. Isme was a three-sport athlete at Half Hallow Hills High School East, lettering in football, basketball, and track and field. As a senior, he received the Golden Key Award for earning nine varsity letters. Isme is currently a para-professional in the Half Hallow Hills Central School District.
During his tenure at NYIT, Lagano was named league Coach of the Year (1998-99, 2006-07) and Met Basketball Writers Association (MBWA) Coach of the Year (2003-04, 2006-07) twice. Under his direction, the Bears made 16 conference playoff appearances with a 2003-04 NCAA Regional Semifinal appearance and 2006-07 East Coast Conference regular-season championship. He coached 19 all-conference selections, seven All-MBWA honorees, two National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District selections, one CoSIDA Academic All-American, and one Daktronics All-American. Lagano concludes his coaching career at NYIT with a 253-256 overall record and a 197-179 conference tally. Lagano will take on a head varsity boys basketball coach position at St. Anthony’s High School, where he currently teaches physical education.
http://www.nyitbears.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/20150501amciie
Photo Courtesy NYIT Athletics
