Marist head men’s basketball coach John Dunne has announced three promotions and a new hire for his 2024-25 staff.
Dalip Bhatia has earned the title of Associate Head Coach. Drew Metz has moved up to the second spot on staff. Brandon Hall has been elevated to the third assistant coach. Dan Bozzelli has joined the staff as the fourth assistant coach.
DUNNE ON BHATIA:
“Dalip has earned this promotion. He really has developed into an exceptional assistant coach. He’s heavily involved in every aspect of our program. He’s a tireless worker, a relentless recruiter, an excellent tactician on the court, and his loyalty is second to none. The program is fortunate to have him and I’m happy to announce that he’s our new Associate Head Coach.”
DUNNE ON METZ:
“Drew has done a tremendous job since he joined the program three years ago. His promotion is due to his broad range of abilities. He’s helped elevate our recruiting efforts as well as being a strong presence on the court. He has a great ability to connect with the players.”
DUNNE ON HALL:
“I’ve known Brandon a long time. He’s an extremely loyal person whose relationship building is an asset. Brandon brings great energy to our program every day; it’s reminiscent of the same passion and enthusiasm he had as a player. I know he’ll do a great job in his new role.”
DUNNE ON BOZZELLI:
“I’ve always admired Dan’s work ethic, and how much of a gym rat he is. He’s had a lot of different experiences as an assistant, as a head coach at Purchase, and he’s also had operations experience at Eastern Kentucky. Based on his overall level of experience, and his high character and work ethic, he’s a really good fit with our program.”
Bhatia has been on staff during Dunne’s entire tenure at Marist, having arrived in Poughkeepsie during the spring of 2018. He is entering his 13th season overall working for Dunne dating back to their time together at Saint Peter’s over two stints (2008-13, 2017-18). Bhatia worked for his alma mater, Rutgers, from 2013-16 as director of operations (2013-15) and then assistant coach (2015-16). He began his coaching career at Kean University in 2007-08. Bhatia is the first known Division I men’s basketball assistant coach and now associate head coach of Indian descent in NCAA history.
“I am very honored and humbled to continue to serve on Coach Dunne’s staff in my new role,” Bhatia said. “I appreciate Coach Dunne’s trust in me and look forward to continuing to work alongside my colleagues as we have a very aligned coaching staff with excellent synergy on a daily basis.
Metz is heading into his fourth season at Marist in 2024-25. He served as director of operations in the 2021-22 season, and he was then promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2022-23 season. In the five years prior to his arrival at Marist, Metz worked as an assistant coach at Long Island Lutheran High School while serving as program director and 17U coach of the New York Jayhawks AAU program. A two-time St. John’s graduate, Metz worked as a manager and administrative assistant for the Red Storm’s men’s basketball program from 2011-15.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue working for Coach John Dunne, alongside Coach Dalip, Coach Brandon, and Coach Dan,” Metz said. “I am also excited to continue working for and with our student-athletes here at Marist College and within the Marist Basketball community. The past three years have been a blessing, and I am looking forward to continue developing our basketball program and making the Hudson Valley community proud.”
Hall is entering his third season at Marist. He was the program’s director of operation in the 2022-23 season, and he was the Red Foxes’ non-recruiting assistant coach in 2023-24. Prior to Marist, Hall was head coach at Colonia High School (2017-18), graduate assistant at Seton Hall (2018-21), and assistant coach at Fairleigh Dickinson (2021-22). Hall played collegiately for Dunne at Saint Peter’s from 2008-12, and he was part of the Peacocks’ 2011 MAAC championship team.
“I am beyond thankful to Coach Dunne not only for this opportunity, but also for continuing to allow me to grow under his tutelage,” Hall said. “I cannot begin to express how excited I am to continue to be a Red Fox, while taking the next step in my career at Marist College.”
Bozzelli joins the Red Foxes after having served as head coach at Purchase for the last four seasons. After the 2020-21 season was canceled due to Covid, the Panthers increased their win total for three straight years, which included a winning season in 2023-24. He has previous Division I experience as director of operations at Eastern Kentucky. He has been an assistant coach at Vassar, DePauw, University of Rochester, Nazareth, RIT, Ithaca, and Wilmington University. Bozzelli is a Rochester native who earned his Bachelor’s degree from Cortland and his Master’s from Ithaca.
“I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Coach Dunne and the rest of the coaching staff,” Bozzelli said. “Seeing what they’ve done over the past several years, the opportunity to work with them and with this program is something I’m really excited about.”
Dunne is heading into his seventh season at Marist in 2024-25. The Red Foxes had their highest win total (18) in 16 years last season, and best seed (#3) in the MAAC Championships in 17 years. Season tickets for the 2024-25 campaign are on sale now.
