HoopDirt.com mentioned these moves back on 8/22 (Daily Dirt) – they have now been made official…
Rhode Island College Head Men’s Basketball Coach Michael Byrnes has announced the hiring of Matt Mahar and Cory Macchioni as assistant coaches for the 2016-17 campaign.
Mahar comes to RIC with over two decades of experience at the collegiate level. Prior to arriving at RIC, the veteran coach had stops at Johnson & Wales, University of Vermont, Champlain Junior College, Chaminade University and Assumption College. As the head coach at Chaminade, he guided the NCAA Division II power to three NCAA Tournaments, including an appearance in the second round of the championships.
“I am very fortunate to have Matt join our staff,” Byrnes said. “Matt comes from a successful basketball family and he brings a wealth of knowledge to our bench. He has close recruiting ties in the state of Rhode Island and he has always done a great job recruiting the junior college ranks. I look forward to working with Matt and he is a huge addition to our program.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity that coach Byrnes is giving me in joining the men’s basketball staff,” Mahar said. “Rhode Island College has a rich history in both the Little East Conference and state of Rhode Island and I am looking forward to helping the program in any way I can.”
Macchioni joins the Anchormen after spending the past two seasons as the Director of Basketball Operations at Canisius. He also served as Vice President for Basketball Operations for the Providence Sky Chiefs of the American Basketball Association.
“I am excited to have Cory join our staff,” Byrnes said. “Cory worked under Jim Baron as a basketball manager at University Rhode Island and was head of basketball operations at Canisius for two seasons, so he is more than qualified to assist us in every aspect of running a college basketball program.”
“I am excited to work with an ambitious staff that pushes and challenges their players every day,” Macchioni said. “I am also thrilled to continue my career in my home state in front of my family and friends and look forward to helping RIC basketball get back to the NCAA tournament.”
