Independence Community College (ICC) announced today that Justin Mann is named the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach of the Pirates. Mann replaces Bill Morosco, who is leaving the college to work for conference rival, Garden City Community College. Mann continues the program trajectory of the Indy Pirates, after serving as Associate Head Coach for the last two seasons.
“I am extremely proud to have Coach Mann step into this role,” said ICC President Dr. Vincent Bowhay. “His leadership qualities, vision, and drive inspire our community. He knows what it means to be a Pirate and is an outstanding mentor to our student-athletes on and off the court.”
Mann looks to build upon the recent success at Indy, where he has contributed to a 36-19 overall record over the last two seasons. In his first season with Indy, Mann helped guide the Pirates to an overall record of 23-9, which was the highest win total at ICC since the 2010-11 season. The offense was transformed, averaging 91 points per game with six players averaging in double figures. Mann was also responsible for driving the program’s academic success as the Pirates achieved a 3.1 cumulative GPA in 2010-11, graduating all eleven sophomores.
Success continued in year two as Indy averaged a stellar 84.2 points per game while playing suffocating defense throughout the season. Against top rival and eventual NJCAA National Champion, Coffeyville – a team which stood at 13-0 and ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time – the Pirates shocked the college basketball world with a furious second-half rally that ended with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, resulting in an emphatic 70-67 victory.
“At this level, you expect and plan for transition, every offseason, and this year was no different.” said ICC Athletic Director, Eric Figurski, “Coach Mann is the right coach to take this program forward. He is a Pirate to his core. His team will be fast, physical, and aggressive. A blueprint that we believe in, across all sports, here at Indy.”
In his two years at Independence, Coach Mann has been essential in recruiting and player development. During this time, the Pirates have sent eight student athletes to Division I and three student athletes to Division II. The Pirates also produced two first team all-region players, two first team all-conference players, two second team all-conference players, and one honorable mention all-conference player. In the 2020-21 season, Tim Dalger earned the program’s first All – American nod since the 2008-09 season.
Prior to joining the Independence staff, Coach Mann was at Daytona State College for the 2018-19 season, where he contributed to sending seven student athletes to Division I and one student athlete to Division II. Daytona State concluded the 2018-19 season with a record of 25-7.
“I would like to thank President Dr. Vincent Bowhay and Athletic Director Eric Figurski for this tremendous opportunity! I also want to thank Bill Morosco for hiring me as his assistant two years ago. Without him, I would not be in this position today. I am extremely excited to be the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach, here at Independence. I am looking forward to building upon our recent success and look to take this program to the top of the Jayhawk Conference. I love Independence and appreciate the support this program has from the community and campus administration. Let’s go Pirates! #AnchorDown”
https://www.indypirates.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/releases/mann-hire
