USATSI
Steve Masiello is no longer the coach of Manhattan’s men’s basketball program, the school announced Tuesday.
Specifics of why Masiello was terminated after 11 seasons weren’t made clear in the school’s announcement. Masiello’s contract was set to expire this season, and sources told CBS Sports that a fractured relationship with Jaspers athletic director Marianne Reilly played a major factor in the sever. Masiello took Manhattan to the NCAA Tournament in 2014 and 2015 but failed to coach the Jaspers to an above-.500 record since.
RaShawn Stores, who played for Masiello at Manhattan, takes over as interim head coach.
“We thank Coach Masiello for his service and wish him well,” Reilly said in a statement. “As we look to building successful teams for the future — and with recruiting season beginning soon and Coach Masiello’s contract ending in April 2023 — we determined that it was the right time to begin rebuilding from the top down.”
Masiello was not quoted in Manhattan’s press release. He nearly left Manhattan in 2014, when he agreed to be the coach at South Florida. That job offer was rescinded after it became known Masiello did not complete his undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky. He subsequently attained his degree that offseason and was allowed to return to Manhattan and resume his role as head coach for the 2014-15 season. He went 162-177, finishing seventh or worse in the MAAC the past four seasons.
The news lands in advance of what’s supposed to be a fruitful season for Manhattan. The Jaspers were expected to be a MAAC contender; the team was selected second in the conference’s preseason coaches poll. Manhattan forward Jose Perez was the league’s preseason player of the year selection. However, his time with the program could be over. Hours after Masiello’s firing, Perez officially put his name the transfer portal. More players are reportedly considering doing the same.
The Jaspers open the season Nov. 7 at VCU.
