Thanks to great source who got HoopDirt.com out in front of this one last week (Penn State Abington Dirt). It has now been made official, Jon Tanous has been hired as Penn State Abington’s full-time head men’s basketball coach for the 2015-16 season, Director of Athletics, Intramural and Recreation Shawne McCoy announced Wednesday.
“Jon brings an outstanding pedigree and a winning tradition to Penn State Abington,” said McCoy. “He has proved that he is knowledgeable in every aspect of the game and I am anxious to see him flourish as the first full-time head coach of our men’s basketball program.”
“I want to thank the search committee and Shawne McCoy for the opportunity to lead the program. I’m very excited to meet with all the players; I think we have a lot of potential with the guys returning and the new ones coming in. It’s an exciting time in the program and I’m happy to be apart of it.”
A 14-year veteran in the Division III basketball community, Tanous comes to Penn State Abington from Ithaca College, where he served as the top assistant and offensive coordinator on head coach Jim Mullins’ staff for the past four seasons. Tanous’ primary responsibilities involved directing the Bombers’ recruiting efforts as well as overseeing the squad’s academic progress.
Tanous and the Bombers captured back-to-back Empire 8 tournament championships in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Ithaca advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen in 2012-13 and was ranked as high as No. 19 in the country. In 2014-15, the Bombers ranked among the NCAA Division III national leaders in three-point field goals made per game (12th, 9.6), three-point field goals made (22nd, 250), free-throw percentage (23rd, 76.0) and scoring offense (40th, 78.7).
A 2005 graduate of SUNY-Potsdam, Tanous returned to his alma mater following graduation to serve as an assistant coach for the Bears for the next six seasons. He assisted with all aspects of coaching and developing the squad, including recruiting, scouting, strength and conditioning and supervision of other staff members. He coached 14 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) all-academic student-athletes and five all-conference honorees.
Tanous was a four-year standout at shooting guard who led the Bears to SUNYAC tournament titles in his junior and senior seasons. Potsdam advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen in 2003-04 and the Elite Eight in 2004-05.
Tanous has also participated in various camps and clinics, including the Potsdam Bears International Summer Basketball Camp, the Can-Am Hoops Classic, day camps at Cornell University and Marist College and supervised skill and agility workouts for high school and AAU teams during the spring and summer.
Originally from Liberty, N.Y., Tanous obtained a bachelor’s degree in childhood education with a minor in history from SUNY-Potsdam in December 2006 and a master’s degree in technology education from SUNY-Potsdam in August 2008.
Tanous will officially begin his new duties on September 1, 2015.
http://abingtonsports.com/news/2015/8/12/MBB_0812152649.aspx?path=mbball
Photo Courtesy PSU-Abington Athletics
