University of New England Interim Director of Athletics Curt Smyth announced this morning (Apr. 23) that Ed Silva will become UNE’s next head men’s basketball coach. Silva will replace Jason Mulligan, who resigned in February.

Silva comes to UNE from Elms College, where he put together a 206-111 record in 11 seasons at the head of the Blazer bench. Under his direction, Elms won seven consecutive conference championships from 2005-2011, leading to six NCAA Championship appearances during that time.

Inheriting a team that went 2-21 prior to his arrival, Silva had the Blazers in the NCAA Championship four years later. More recently in 2008-09, Silva guided Elms to a program-record 26-2 mark and the school’s first national ranking. The Blazers peaked at No. 12 in the national poll that season while leading the country in steals per game and scoring margin. The following season Elms captured the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Championship.

Prior to his time at Elms, Silva served as an assistant coach at Eastern Connecticut State University from 1996-2001, helping guide the Warriors to a Little East Conference title and NCAA Championship appearance in 2000. He also served as an assistant coach at Hesser College during the 1993-94 season.

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