Siena Head Coaching Search Update

Right after the Siena Saints lost in the 2nd round of their MAAC conference tournament, the Saints fired their head coach Mitch Buoneguro after 3 years. The Saints seem to be well on their way to getting a new head coach in place.

According to Mark Singelais of the Times Union, the Saints have started the interview process. Singelais reports that Robert Morris head coach Andy Toole and  Virginia Commonwealth Assistant Mike Rhoades both have interviewed for the job. The report says neither had their meetings on campus but rather off campus locations.

Robert Morris just got knocked out of the N.I.T. tournament in the 2nd round. Toole did lead his club to a 1st round upset of the defending national champion Kentucky Wildcats. Toole is only 32 years old. He has been the head coach at Robert Morris for 3 years and has a solid 68-36 record. Morris plays in the Northeast conference. Twice they have lost the NEC final to Long Island University. They lost in round 2 of the N.I.T. to Providence University.

Rhoades has an interesting pedigree. He has helped the hottest coach in country possibly in Shaka Smart lead the VCU team to the final 4 only 2 years ago and to the 2nd round of the NCAA's this season where the Rams succumbed to Michigan University. Smart was a candidate for a few jobs last off season, including Illinois. Right now his name is being linked to a pair of openings, Minnesota and UCLA.

Toole played guard at Pennsylvania  and was an all Ivy League selection. Rhoades is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College. He has head coaching experience at Division III Randolph Macon where he served for 10 seasons and racked up a 197-76 record.

As part of the report Singelais speculates that there could be others on the radar of Athletic Director John D'Argenio. When the AD came on my program the day he let go Buonaguro ( Game On With Bruce Jacobs) he claimed there was no certain time line for finding a new head man.

Buonaguro finished his 3 year term at Siena with a record of 35-59, including just a 7 win campaign this past basketball season.