Manhattan officially reinstates coach Steve Masiello after completing degree
The tumultuous offseason for Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello has calmed down as he has officially been reinstated to the Jaspers on Friday afternoon, according to CBSSports.
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Masiello, 36, left the program and agreed to a five-year deal to be the head coach at South Florida but negotiations fell apart after discovering he never graduated from Kentucky in 2000. He had been placed on leave since March and the school announced in early April the Jaspers would retain him once he completed his necessary educational requirements to complete his degree.
“I am extremely grateful to Manhattan for the opportunity to return as its men’s basketball coach,” Masiello said. “I also am happy to have completed the requirements for my degree.”
“We are happy to have Coach Masiello back on campus. We are pleased he was able to complete his academic requirements in order to enable his return. His presence will greatly benefit our men’s basketball student-athletes and the entire program,” athletic director Noah D. LeFevre said in a statement.
Masiello got his start in coaching with Manhattan in 2011 when he led the Jaspers to 21-13 record, a tie for third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and a second round appearance in the CIT.
The team took a step back in the following year with a 14-18 record and missed postseason play but rebounded quite well last season with a 25-8 record, a 15-5 record in conference play and earned a spot in the 2014 NCAA Tournament where they nearly upset the heavily-favored Louisville Cardinals.
Hopefully for fans of the Jaspers, Masiello makes the most of his second chance and will reward them for their good faith and won’t leave for another head coaching opportunity any time soon.