Niagara University has hired Long Island University Post's Chris Casey as the Purple Eagles men's basketball coach.Casey accepted the job Monday morning and was introduced at a campus press conference.
The Division II Pioneers went a combined 62-25 in three years under Casey, including an 18-9 finish last season. He will replace longtime coach Joe Mihalich, who left to take over at Hofstra two weeks ago.
“Chris Casey has a well-rounded experience in college basketball that will serve him well as our new men’s basketball coach,” Niagara University Director of Athletics Tom Crowley said. “He has an energetic and enthusiastic approach and a long history of helping student-athletes reach their dreams both in the classroom and on the court. We welcome Chris and his family to Niagara.”
The Purple Eagles have a young roster that returns mostly intact after winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season title last season.
In Casey's first two seasons at LIU Post, the Pioneers had consecutive 20-win seasons en route to back-to-back East Coast Conference championships and tournament berths.