James Madison men’s basketball Head Coach Louis Rowe on Tuesday announced the retirement of Assistant Coach Mike Deane from the program’s staff. Deane will remain with JMU Athletics through August while a search to fill his coaching vacancy will begin immediately.
“I have very much enjoyed my five years here at JMU, and I hope that I was able to help Coach Rowe in his transition this season,” Deane said. “I wish he and the program all the best in the future, and I look forward to following the Dukes moving forward.”
A 43-year veteran as a college coach, Deane ranks among the top 30 active coaches in the country for career victories at four-year institutions (437-332) and owns the most victories as a head coach among all active assistant coaches in the country. He led three different programs to the NCAA Tournament with Siena (1988-89), Marquette (1995-96, 1996-97) and Lamar (1999-2000).
“I am incredibly thankful to Coach Deane for his service and assistance this season,” Rowe said. “To have someone with his experience and wisdom on my staff for my first year was invaluable. On behalf of the JMU men’s basketball program, I want to say how appreciative we are that he saw fit to end his legendary career in Harrisonburg.”
Deane joined the staff of previous Head Coach Matt Brady for the 2012-13 season, and his defensive pedigree immediately paid dividends as JMU captured the Colonial Athletic Association Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1994. He served on Brady’s staff for four years and remained in Harrisonburg to serve on Rowe’s first JMU staff.
Among Deane’s numerous Hall of Fame honors, he is a member of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame. He earned his start as an assistant coach at Potsdam State in 1974-75. He entered the Division I ranks as an assistant coach at Michigan State in 1982 and earned his first head coaching job at Siena for the 1986-87 season and lasting until 1993-94. His other stops included Marquette (1994-1999), Lamar (1999-2003) and Wagner (2003-2010).
Deane competed collegiately at Potsdam State, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in economics in 1974. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the ninth round in 1974.
