Marques McKinney has joined the NYIT men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach, head coach Kevin Hamilton announced.

McKinney, 34, served as an assistant coach at Medaille College in Buffalo during the 2016-17 season. He helped lead the Mavericks to a 21-7 record, Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship and Division III NCAA Tournament berth.

McKinney served as an assistant coach at Cazenovia College the previous season.

He graduated with an associate’s degree in liberal arts from Dutchess County Community College in 2005. He earned a bachelor’s degree in human development from SUNY Empire State College in 2016.

“Marques is a solid addition to my already great staff,” Hamilton said. “We look forward to him adding his knowledge of defensive schemes and his on-court intensity to this team.”

McKinney’s coaching career began in 2007 when he was hired as an assistant coach at Dutchess County Community College. He followed that with a two-year stint as an AAU head basketball coach and gym director in Wilmington, N.C. In addition, McKinney has worked numerous summer basketball camps, including at Marist and Vassar.

McKinney believes his experiences as a junior college and Division III player will benefit the Bears.

“These guys are going through a lot, especially the freshmen who have to adjust to the physicality of the college game,” McKinney said. “At Medaille I mentored a lot of guys, especially freshmen. I hope to do the same thing here.”

McKinney has always stressed the importance of defense in order to build a successful team. He considers his defensive mindset one of his biggest assets.

“I’m a defensive guy,” he said. “Everyone has to buy in and sacrifice in that aspect in order to for us to be successful.”

McKinney is married to wife Alanna.

He joins Jason Bavolar, Andre Edwards and Joe Mantesta as assistant coaches on Hamilton’s staff.

http://nyitbears.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/releases/20170725f3809g