In a press release issued Thursday afternoon, Iona College announced the extension of head coach Tim Cluess’ contract through the 2019-20 season.
Cluess has led Iona into an era of unmatched success in the MAAC. The Gaels have qualified for postseason play in all five years of Cluess’ tenure in New Rochelle and have won back to back regular season conference titles. Since moving to a 20 game conference season in 2013-14, Cluess’ teams have finished each conference slate 17-3.
“Five straight 20-win seasons and postseason appearances has never happened in the rich history of men’s basketball at Iona College,” said Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. in the release. “Tim Cluess remains committed to Iona athletics’ mission of building champions both on and off the court and we’re proud to have him as our head coach.”
Iona’s postseason appearances under Cluess include a trip to the CollegeInsider.com tournament final, two appearances in the NIT, and back to back NCAA tournament appearances in 2011-12 and 2012-13 – the former coming via an at-large bid.
Cluess has presided over nine all-MAAC first team selections, three MAAC players of the year (most recently David Laury in 2014-15), one MAAC rookie of the year (Schadrac Casimir, 2014-15), and one Haggerty Award winner honoring the top player in the New York Metro Area (Scott Machado, 2011-12). The coach’s 118 wins ranks fourth in Iona coaching history.
“The Iona College community has embraced my family and I as one of their own and I thank them for it,” said Cluess. “I’m appreciative of the support President Nyre, Rick Cole and our administration have given us, and I look forward to continuing to lead the men’s basketball program.”
Vincent Simone covers Quinnipiac, the MAAC, and Hofstra, among others for Big Apple Buckets. You can follow him on Twitter @VTSimone.
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