Gannon University Athletics

Reilly begins his 14th season as the head coach at Gannon University in 2018-19. He enters the campaign among the best men’s basketball coaches in the country. Reilly ranks 22nd among all active NCAA Division II coaches in victories (463) and 95th in winning percentage (.616). The longest-tenured coach in program history, Reilly reached a pair of milestones in 2014-15. He earned his 400th career victory with a 55-54 win against West Chester on December 17, 2014. Reilly then became Gannon’s all-time winningest men’s basketball coach when he guided the Golden Knights to a 59-57 overtime victory at California (Pa.) on February 21, 2015.

The program has excelled on the floor and in the classroom under Reilly. Academically, Golden Knights have been named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes 41 times during the team’s 10 years in the conference. Daryl Porter, Joe Fustine and Naseem Hadrab were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court last season bringing Gannon’s total of Honor Court selections to 19 during the last eight years. The Honors Court is reserved for juniors or seniors with at least one year of residency at their current school and a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or higher. Reilly has also coached three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and seven Academic All-District award winners.

On the floor, the squad has produced winning records during nine of the last 11 seasons, winning 65 percent (210-112) of their games during that time frame. Gannon student-athletes have been accorded All-PSAC honors 19 times during Reilly’s tenure. In addition, the program received three consecutive PSAC Western Division Freshman of the Year awards in 2010 (Tanner Furno), 2011 (Stephen Battle) and 2012 (Adam Blazek) before Jimmy Berger captured the award again in 2017. In 2013-14, Blazek and Oldham became the first Golden Knights to be named PSAC Western Division Athlete and Defensive Players of the Year. A’Darius Porter took home the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year accolade in 2014-15, and Damon Miraud kept up the tradition in 2017-18 with the West Defensive Player of the Year honor.

Reilly was named NABC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the second time in 2014-15 after leading Gannon to its 27th 20-win season and 24th NCAA Tournament appearance. The Golden Knights finished 23-9, winning their second consecutive PSAC Western Division regular-season title en route to their second PSAC Tournament Championship since joining the league in 2008-09. Defense was the key as the Golden Knights finished No. 1 among all NCAA Division II programs with 56.6 points allowed per game.

The NABC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year selection was the fourth major award for Reilly during his 12-year tenure at Gannon. He received NABC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year accolades for the first time after his 2008-09 squad won the regional title en route to an NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance. Reilly also has a pair of PSAC Western Division Coach of the Year awards from 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Reilly guided Gannon to its eighth postseason appearance in an 11-year span and 17th during a 21-year span last season. The Golden Knights finished second in the PSAC Western Division, moving into the conference final four for the fourth time in five years and ultimately finishing as runner-up in the tournament.
The Golden Knights won its final six games of the regular season and 16 of their last 19 to fly into the postseason on fire, and parlayed that success into the fifth NCAA tournament appearance during Reilly’s tenure.
Gannon finished fourth in Division II in rebounding margin (+9.6 per game), and a tenacious defense was 12th in the country, allowing just 65.9 points per game.

Reilly guided Gannon to the 2015 PSAC Championship Game with victories against Slippery Rock (71-45) and Kutztown (69-56), before capturing its second PSAC title since 2009 when Girbran Smith drilled a three-pointer with two seconds to play for a 69-66 victory against Indiana (Pa.).

Gannon led the PSAC in field goal percentage defense (39.8) and scoring defense (56.6). The Golden Knights finished third among all NCAA Division II schools in rebounding margin (10.1) and ninth in field goal percentage defense.

Reilly earned his second consecutive PSAC West Coach of the Year honor in 2013-14 after leading Gannon to a 20-10 overall record while capturing the PSAC Western Division regular-season crown for the second time since joining the league. The Golden Knights also secured the top spot during their first year in the conference.

Only three other Gannon men's basketball coaches in school history have received conference coach-of-the-year accolades. Jerry Slocum was the last to achieve that status, being named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Coach of the Year in 2000. Bob Dukiet and Tom Chapman were named Mideast Collegiate Conference (MECC) Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1987, respectively.

Reilly guided Gannon to the 2014 PSAC Tournament semifinals with a 73-69 double-overtime victory against Slippery Rock. One week later, the squad advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament second round with a 66-64 win against Mountain East Conference (MEC) champion Charleston.

Gannon led the PSAC in free throw percentage, converting 78.6 percent of its attempts. The Golden Knights ranked fourth among all NCAA Division II schools in scoring defense (60.7), fifth in free throw percentage and eighth in rebounding margin (8.8).

Reilly led Gannon to another 20-win season in 2012-13, finishing 22-7 overall and one game out of first place in the PSAC Western Division with a 16-6 divisional mark. As a result, Reilly was named PSAC Western Division Coach of the Year for the first time. The Golden Knights rose as high as 17th in the national rankings and seventh in the regional poll. Gannon led the league in scoring defense (58.2), field goal percentage (47.5) and rebounding defense (28.5). The defensive unit's 58.2 points allowed per game ranked third among all NCAA Division II schools.

Gannon maintained its winning way during the 2011-12 campaign with a 14-12 overall record and 12-10 PSAC mark. The Golden Knights ranked eighth among all NCAA Division II schools in rebounding margin (7.5). The squad was among the nation’s top 50 in scoring offense (77.3), scoring margin (7.9), field goal percentage (47.3), free throw percentage (74.7), assists per game (15.7) and steals per game (8.5). The Knights led the PSAC in rebounding defense and placed among the top three in eight other statistical categories.

In 2010-11, Gannon finished 15-11 overall. The Golden Knights ranked among the PSAC’s top five in scoring defense (fifth, 67.5), free throw percentage (fourth, 70.2), field goal percentage (second, 45.9), field goal percentage defense (fourth, 41.5) and defensive rebounds per game (fourth, 25.6).

Gannon returned to its glory days under Reilly in 2008-09. The Golden Knights (30-4) set a school record for victories and winning percentage (.882) while taking the entire City of Erie on a memorable run. The squad advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the fifth time in school history while winning 26 games in consecutive seasons for the first time ever. It capped a brilliant two-year run with almost the same roster as Gannon posted a 56-9 combined record during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns.

Gannon was ranked No. 5 in the final NABC/Division II Top 25 poll, marking the highest final ranking in school history. The Golden Knights were ranked in the national top 10 for a school-record 15 consecutive polls during the 2008-09 season.

Reilly’s troops won the PSAC Western Division regular-season, PSAC Tournament and NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional championships during the unbelievable season. As a result, he was named NABC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the first time.

Gannon ranked second nationally in rebounding margin (9.4), third in scoring margin (17.4), fourth in winning percentage (88.2), fifth in scoring defense (59.4) and eighth in assists per game (18.3).

The tremendous season also turned the Hammermill Center back into one of the toughest places to play in NCAA Division II. Sold-out crowds cheered the Golden Knights to victory during the first three rounds of the NCAA Tournament held at the ‘Mill. Five games sold out during the last month of the season and eight of the last 10 contests drew crowds over 2,000 people.

The program’s transformation began in 2007-08 as the Golden Knights became one of the best teams in the country during Reilly’s third season.

Gannon finished 26-5 that season, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Golden Knights were one of the best turnaround stories in all divisions of the NCAA. The squad produced the biggest turnaround in school history, posting a 17-win improvement. The Golden Knights went from 9-17 in 2006-07 to 26-5 in 2007-08. Previously, the biggest improvement was 10 games when the 1974-75 squad went 25-4 after a 15-11 mark the previous campaign. The turnaround was the second-best in NCAA Division II, behind only USC Aiken’s 18-win improvement.

The program was ranked in the national top 25 for the majority of the season, rising as high as seventh. Gannon won the GLIAC South Division with a 15-2 conference record and was one of only two teams in school history at the time to win 26 games. Only the 1986-87 team which played in the NCAA Division II title game had won more contests at the time with a 28-6 record.

Gannon made its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance at the time and first since 2005 in 2007-08. In the process, the Golden Knights picked up their first NCAA Tournament victory since 1995 with a 73-56 win against Drury (Mo.) in the first round.

Statistically, Gannon was also one of the best in the country. The Golden Knights ranked fourth among all NCAA Division II teams in rebounding margin (8.3), eighth in winning percentage (83.9), 10th in assists per game (18.2), 11th in scoring margin (13.0), 14th in scoring defense (62.8) and 14th in field goal percentage (49.7).

Former Gannon President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., introduced the former assistant as the school’s head men’s basketball coach May 16, 2005 during a press conference in Old Main’s Boardroom. Reilly became the 18th men’s basketball coach in school history.

Reilly showed the ability to keep his team motivated during his first season, despite arriving at Gannon after the recruiting season had concluded. The 2005-06 Golden Knights’ first signature victory was a 57-50 win against Quincy (Ill.) in the Porreco Cup Championship. The Hawks eventually qualified for the NCAA Tournament and knocked off national power Findlay in the first round.

Gannon posted victories against traditional GLIAC powers such as Michigan Tech, Northwood and Ashland. The overtime victory against Ashland in mid-February most likely knocked the Eagles out of NCAA Tournament contention.

Reilly’s first season concluded with a stunning, come-from-behind victory against cross-town rival Mercyhurst. The Golden Knights erased a 13-point halftime deficit and rallied for a 57-54 victory before a standing-room-only crowd in the season finale, costing Mercyhurst a GLIAC postseason home game.

Reilly’s grit-and-desire attitude was reflected in his 2005-06 team. The Golden Knights led the GLIAC in rebounding offense (38.8), rebounding defense (27.5) and rebounding margin (11.3). The squad was also among the league’s top five in scoring defense (64.9).

Gannon started to become known nationally for its stingy defense and determination on the glass. The Golden Knights led the country in rebounding margin, while ranking 35th in scoring defense.

Gannon qualified for its third consecutive postseason appearance in 2009-10, finishing 13-15 overall. The Golden Knights tied for third place in the PSAC Western Division with an 8-6 conference mark despite graduating six of its top seven scorers from the previous season. The squad was impressive at home, winning 11 of 17 games played at the Hammermill Center.

In fact, Gannon has won 74 percent (155-54) of its home games under Reilly’s direction. Among the impressive victories in 2010-11 were verdicts over NCAA Tournament participants Wayne State (Mich.) (61-52) and Slippery Rock (62-59). The program had noticeable home wins against Northern Kentucky (40-38), California (Pa.) (59-47), Edinboro (61-60) and Mercyhurst (71-59) in 2009-10.

Reilly’s 2009-10 squad always seemed to have what it took to win late in games, producing a 7-1 record in contests decided by four points or less. The Golden Knights ranked 21st among all NCAA Division II programs in scoring defense (63.0), 21st in three-point field goal percentage defense (30.2) and 31st in field goal percentage defense (40.5).

Defense has always been a signature of Reilly’s teams. Gannon has been among the nation’s top 21 in scoring defense during six of the last 10 campaigns and among the top 65 eight times during that period.

Prior to his arrival at Gannon, Reilly spent 12 seasons as the head coach at Brescia University, a Catholic university in Owensboro, Ky. He worked in a dual capacity during the final nine years, serving also as the school’s Director of Athletics.

Reilly compiled a 232-145 record at Brescia. The Bearcats posted winning records during 10 of his 12 seasons, including each of the last nine. The NAIA Division I program recorded five 20-win seasons and averaged 19.3 victories under Reilly’s tutelage. Prior to his hiring in 1993, Brescia had failed to attain a winning record during any of the program’s first 12 years of existence.

The 53-year-old coach took Brescia to the apex of NAIA collegiate basketball with back-to-back appearances in the NAIA National Tournament during his last two seasons. The Bearcats dropped an 80-76 overtime decision to nationally-ranked Oklahoma Christian in the first round of the 2005 tournament. As a result of his success, Reilly was inducted into the Brescia (Ky.) Athletics Hall of Fame on October 28, 2017.

“It is a tremendous honor to return to the institution where I received my master’s degree and began my coaching career,” said Reilly upon his return to Gannon in 2005. “Gannon is one of the premier NCAA Division II jobs in the country and I am extremely excited about the opportunity to continue one of the best traditions in college basketball.

“Gannon has a strong tradition of great student-athletes, on and off the court, and my goal is to continue that tradition.”

Reilly’s Brescia teams were built around aggressive defense and rebounding. The Bearcats ranked fourth nationally in team defense during the 1999-00 campaign and seventh in 2000-01. The Cats led the country in rebounding margin during the 2000-01 season.

Brescia players earned All-America honors 14 times under Reilly. The amazing fact is that no Bearcat had ever achieved All-America status prior to Reilly’s arrival. He has coached 12 All-Americans and four Academic All-Americans between his time at Brescia and Gannon. In 2005, Demontae Foots was named to the All-America first team and Dane Russell earned Academic All-America accolades.

Reilly began his coaching career at Gannon, serving on the staff for six years (1987-93). He was a graduate assistant for two seasons under Tom Chapman, before accepting a full-time assistant coaching position in 1989-90. All four seasons as a full-time assistant came under Bob Dukiet. Reilly helped coach Gannon to a pair of NCAA Division II East Region Championships and a 128-51 record during his six years at Gannon.

In his first campaign (1987-88) as an assistant at Gannon, the Golden Knights posted a 24-8 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Gannon came back to record its sixth consecutive 20-win season the following year, going 21-9. The Knights advanced to the Elite Eight in 1989-90 for the third time in four seasons, finishing 24-8. Reilly finished his stay at Gannon with a 17-13 record in 1990-91, 22-6 mark in 1991-92 and 20-7 slate in 1992-93. Overall, the Golden Knights reached 20 wins during five of six seasons and averaged 21.3 victories with Reilly on the bench.

A native of Bowie, Md., Reilly played basketball at Bowie High School, where he earned All-Prince Georges County honors. He also played on the collegiate level at Bowie State (Md.) University, where he was a two-year starter.

Reilly graduated from Bowie State in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He earned his Masters of Science degree from Gannon in the spring of 1989.

Reilly attributes his coaching success to his family, especially his wife, the former Donna MacAskill, and daughter Kirsten, who is currently a first-year law student attending the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova.

Team play, unselfishness, defensive intensity, hard work and an emphasis on classroom success continue to be the foundation of the Gannon basketball program under Reilly.