It’s been a heady few days for Tobin Anderson after becoming the second coach to lead a 16th seed to a victory over a 1st seed in the NCAA Tournament.
In his first year as head coach at Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityAnderson led the Knights to a 21-16 record and two NCAA Tournament wins.
Fairleigh Dickinson guard Grant Singleton celebrates after a basket against Purdue in the Men’s NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Now, Anderson will become the next manager at Iona after Departure of Rick Pitino for work in St. John’s.
KENTUCKY UNAWARE 16-SEED FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON BEATS PURDUE DESPITE PLAY ON JUMBOTRON: ‘NONE OF US KNEW THAT’
«I am grateful for this tremendous opportunity to [Iona Director of Athletics] Matt Glovaski and [President] Dr. Carey be the next leader of one of the most storied basketball programs on the East Coast,» said Anderson. «The University of Iona represents everything my family and I have been looking for in a school, a basketball program and a campus environment. Our goal is to build on Iona’s tremendous basketball tradition and elevate the program to greater heights.»
At FDU, Anderson led the Knights to a victory over Texas Southern in the «First Four» game before defeating Purdue Thursday.
Fairleigh Dickinson’s Cinderella streak came to an end Sunday when the 16 seed lost to 9 seed Florida Atlantic.
Fairleigh Dickinson head coach Tobin Anderson reacts after a basket against Purdue in the NCAA Men’s Tournament in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iona has been in the NCAA Tournament in two of the last four years with Pitino as coach.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
«We are very excited to introduce Tobin Anderson as Principal of the University of Iona men’s basketball coach«, Glovaski said. «We have known for a long time that he is a fantastic coach and an even better person. Now, with his team’s impressive run in the NCAA tournament, everyone who pays attention to March Madness knows it too. We are thrilled that he is at the helm of our men’s basketball program.»
Before taking the job at FDU, Anderson spent nine seasons at Division II St. Thomas Aquinas, going 209-62.
«Tobin Anderson is a highly respected coach who has excelled at all levels of the game and has shown that he can lead a mid-career program to victory in an NCAA tournament,» Carey said. «Iona is building a program of national prominence and Tobin has shown that he is the leader to get us there.»
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Head coach Tobin Anderson applauds the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 17, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Before FDU’s win over Purdue, the 16 seed was 1-150 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with UMBC’s win over Virginia in 2018 being the only victory.
«All that playing has changed everyone on our team: staff, students, everyone who [goes] to Fairleigh Dickinson University,» FDU forward Sean Moore said, according to ESPN. «Everything is different now.»
Anderson will be introduced as Iona’s next coach on Wednesday.