Following-up on something that I first mentioned last Thursday (D2 DIRT). Michael Lamberti has officially been named as the new head men’s basketball coach at D2 Coker University (SC). Here is the statement that CU released today:
Michael Lamberti has been named Coker University’s head men’s basketball coach, announced today Wednesday, May 31 by Vice President of Athletics and Athletic Facilities, Dr. Lynn Griffin.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Lamberti to the Coker family”, said Griffin. “Michael has been part of a successful program at West Liberty University, both as a player and as an assistant coach. I look forward to watching him continue to develop and grow the Coker men’s basketball program. We look forward to welcoming Michael, wife Emily, and son Enzo to the Hartsville community”.
Coach Lamberti comes to Coker from West Liberty where he has been an assistant there since 2018. Lamberti has established himself as one of the nation’s top assistant coaches. He was honored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) with a spot on the 2019 Under Armour 30-Under-30 Team of rising young coaches. He was an assistant coach for the Hilltoppers for five regular-season Mountain East Conference (MEC) championships. These include conference tournament championships during the years 2020, 2022, and 2023, as well as Atlantic Region Championships in 2021 and 2023. In 2023, West Liberty advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship game where they fell to Nova Southeastern 111-101. He also assisted in coaching the Hilltoppers to National Scoring Champions for four straight years. In 2021, Lamberti helped lead the Hilltoppers to their ninth “Sweet 16” berth in the last 11 seasons.
During his time at West Liberty, Coach Lamberti assisted in the development of 16 MEC all-conference selections, four conference player of the year, two Atlantic Region player of the year, one MEC freshman of the year, and two NCAA All-Americans.
Lamberti started his coaching career as the graduate assistant men’s basketball coach at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. While at Embry-Riddle he aided in Embry-Riddle’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. In his two years at Embry-Riddle, the team went 27-27.
Coach Lamberti had this to say about this new opportunity, “I am humbled and thrilled to accept the position of head men’s basketball coach at Coker University. Thank you to Dr. Harder and Dr. Griffin for instilling their trust in me for this role. This opportunity is a dream come true for my family and me. Without their support and encouragement, I would not be in this situation. As we embrace this next chapter, we look forward to building relationships, immersing ourselves in the Hartsville community, and competing in the South Atlantic Conference. My family is ready to embrace this incredible journey and we cannot wait to create memories at Coker University. Go Cobras!”
Coach Lamberti earned his M.S in Leadership from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and his B.S. degree in Business Administration from West Liberty University. Lamberti played for the Hilltoppers from 2011-2016. As a player, he helped his team to a record of 156-17 which included a National Championship runner-up finish in 2014, two additional Final-Four appearances, an Elite Eight appearance, and a Sweet Sixteen trip. Lamberti contributed to West Liberty’s success as they also won the regular season championship each of his years and went on to win the conference tournament twice. West Liberty led the country in scoring four out of his five years there averaging more than 100 points per game. Lamberti finished his career with 122 games played and 49 starts for West Liberty compiling more than 700 points and 420 rebounds.
