David Muchnick has rejoined the John Jay men’s basketball coaching staff as Associate Head Coach, head men’s basketball coach Ryan Hyland announced.
Muchnick was part of the Bloodhounds coaching staff in 2017-18 and 2018-19. This season marks his 18th year in coaching at the NCAA Division III level. In his tenure as a coach, he has recruited and coached 22 All-Conference performers, 18 1,000-point scorers, three NCAA All-Americans and has had five of his players continue playing overseas.
“It is not every day you have the opportunity to welcome someone with this wealth of experience and success into your program,” commented Coach Hyland. “We are grateful to have Coach Muchnick back with us. I am excited for our group of guys to have a chance to work with him, similar to how our alumni before them got a chance. He has made a profound and lasting impact on our program, and for me, he has been an instrumental mentor in my development as a coach. I know that our core of new players will be able to absorb the teaching philosophies that Coach Muchnick will develop with them.”
In his role as associate head coach, Muchnick will be directly involved in all facets of the program’s day-to-day operations. In addition to his on-court responsibilities, Muchnick will coordinate team culture-building activities, community service projects, and academic achievement.
Muchnick returns to Bloodhounds after spending three seasons as an assistant coach with New York University (NYU). From 2019-2022, he helped lead the program to a 14-11, the Violets’ best season since 2015-16. Halfway through the season, he was tasked with spearheading the team’s offensive strategy, which spun a five-game winning streak, highlighted by two victories over nationally ranked programs (Case Western Reserve and Washington University in St. Louis; who advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 and NCAA Second Round, respectively).
2021-22 was the first time that NYU finished the season ranked in the regional rankings since 2016, ending the season fifth among Region 4. Coach Muchnick mentored the development of All-American Bobby Hawkinson, who finished the season ranked among the best in the country in double-doubles (3rd), field-goal percentage (7th), and rebounds (7th).
Before his first stint at John Jay, Muchnick was the head coach at Maine Maritime Academy, where, through his rebuilding efforts, he led the Mariners to their best conference record since 2010-11 and was responsible for the best shooting team in school history in 2016-17 at 37.2 percent from three-point range. His offense was credited to be one of the most efficient and unselfish in the North Atlantic Conference, leading in total assists (392) in 2016-17, which was good at the time for third all-time in school history.
Muchnick coached at the United States Merchant Marine Academy from 2010-14, where he was the top assistant for the first three-and-half years and was responsible for the largest and most geographically diverse recruiting class in school history, bringing in 10 first-year players from nine different states in 2012. He was elevated to head coach in January of 2014, and with Coach Muchnick at the helm, USMMA compiled a 6-6 record for the remainder of the season, leading to a berth in the Landmark Conference Semifinals. After the 2013-14 campaign, he received the Merchant Marine Academy’s Dr. Stephen “Bill” Omeltchenko Coach of the Year Award.
Muchnick began his coaching career as the top assistant at SUNY Cortland from 2005-08, helping the Dragons notch a 55-29 overall record during his time in Upstate New York. The Dragons advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament Second Round, a SUNYAC regular-season title, and were tabbed SUNYAC Coaching Staff of the Year, all coming in 2005-06.
Coach Muchnick went on to Denison University in Granville, Ohio from 2008-10, where he served as the men’s basketball assistant coach.
A 2005 graduate of SUNY Geneseo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and also obtained a Master of Science degree in Sports Management in 2009 from SUNY Cortland. He was a four-year member of the SUNY Geneseo basketball team, where he also served as team captain in his senior season. He finished his collegiate career third all-time in three-point field goal percentage at the college, connecting on 41.4 percent from the outside and helped the team to a 60-47 overall record over his four seasons, including a benchmark of 20-9 while winning the ECAC Championship in 2003-04.
Off the court, Muchnick is also an avid volunteer and fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Autism Speaks.
A native of Oceanside, NY, Coach Muchnick resides in Long Island City, NY.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH DAVID MUCHNICK:
“It’s great to hear that Coach Muchnick is coming back to the Doghouse. Not only is he a leader of men, but he is also one of the best coaches I’ve been around throughout my basketball career.”
–Doug Levy ’19
“Coach Muchnick is someone who doesn’t sugarcoat anything, and will never sell you short. His willingness to always give his all to the program and the guys has allowed our teams to reach their full potentials and become better men off the court.”
-Jordan Aiken ’18
“It is exciting to hear that Coach Muchnick is coming back to the Bloodhounds! The team in that locker room will be gaining lots of wisdom and insight to prepare them for a championship run. I know the team will utilize him and learn from the man he is. Welcome back, coach!”
-Essien Epps ’18
