Following the most successful Division I campaign in program history, Mount St. Mary’s University and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Donny Lind have agreed to a long-term contract extension through the 2030-31 season. In addition to the long-term commitment with Coach Lind, additional program enhancements, including opting-in to the impending NCAA Settlement were announced by President Gerard J. Joyce, Ph. D. and Director of Athletics Brad Davis.
“I am excited that a head coach of Donny Lind‘s caliber will lead our men’s basketball team for the next six years.” Joyce said. “During the NCAA Tournament, people across the country saw the selfless and resilient culture that Donny has built in just one season. I see continued success on the horizon, making Knott Arena’s Jim Phelan Court an even tougher place to win for opposing teams in the coming years.”
“Donny Lind‘s impact on the men’s basketball program and the university as a whole cannot be understated,” said Davis. “In his first year as a head coach, his leadership through selflessness and commitment to developing our players on and off the court is a reminder that culture and growth still matter in Division I basketball. We are grateful to Donny, his wife, Ciara, and his kids, Magnolia and Silas, and we look forward to seeing the Mount continue to rise on a national level under Donny’s leadership.”
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the Men’s Basketball program at Mount St. Mary’s.” Lind said. “I want to thank President Jerry Joyce and Athletic Director Brad Davis for their tremendous vision and leadership during my first season back in Emmitsburg. The Mount is a special place, and we have made a true commitment to our future success. I want to give a special thank you to our players and staff for their trust and buy-in to a vision of success that few thought was possible. Going forward, I’m excited to continue to build on the storied tradition of the Mount that our alumni, students, and fans can be proud of.”
After accepting the position as the Mount head coach in April of 2024, Lind and his staff guided the Mountaineers to a 23-13 season and a 12-8 mark in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Picked 11th of 13 teams in the MAAC preseason poll, the team surprised many right from the start of the season, posting a strong non-conference record, led by a win at Miami of the ACC in December.
The Mount finished tied for fourth in the MAAC, despite two key season-ending injuries, before enjoying a run through the conference tournament culminating in a win over Iona for the university’s first MAAC Championship in any sport since becoming a full MAAC member three years ago. In March Madness, the squad delivered the program’s third NCAA Tournament win ever with a victory over American in the First Four, before falling to #1 Duke in the first round on CBS.
Led by Lind, a finalist for the Joe B. Hall Award for the top first-time head coach in Division I college basketball, Mount St. Mary’s recorded its highest win total as a Division I program, and the most for any season at the Mount since 1986-87. The win over American in March Madness grants Lind the most victories for a first-year head coach at the Mount ever, surpassing Jim Phelan’s 1954-55 total.
Along with securing Lind at his post, the university will opt into the anticipated NCAA settlement, putting the program in a position to succeed in the changing landscape of college athletics. Opting into the NCAA settlement for 2025-26 will allow the university discretion to share revenue with student-athletes and make additional commitments to the continued and sustained success in Division I athletics and the MAAC.
Additionally, the University has committed to Lind’s coaching staff of Keith Chesley, Jeremy Freeman, Dave Matturro, and Sidy Sall, while current graduate assistant for men’s basketball Andrew Winton will be promoted to the newly created position of General Manager. Assisting with scouting, recruiting, and roster construction, the GM role will be critical in acquiring, retaining, and developing student-athletes to ensure the program remains strong and competitive each season.
Mount St. Mary’s extends Lind through 2030-31 season
