An interesting article yesterday and more NYC area publicity for the Jasper brand in the NY POST on Steve Masiello, the MAAC's hottest coach and the resurgence of Manhattan Jasper Basketball:
Manhattan was on the verge of a monumental upset and Steve Masiello was the hottest name in college basketball.
After his 13th-seeded Jaspers nearly defeated No. 4 Louisville with a well-executed and well-prepared defensive effort in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night, countless conversations centered around the same question: how long the third-year coach would stay at mid-major Manhattan.
But Masiello, 36, isn’t planning on leaving his native New York anytime soon.
“I feel very confident that I will be back at Manhattan College as the coach and I look forward to working with a great group of young men that are returning,” Masiello told The Post on Friday. “This is where I want to be. I want to be in New York. I want to be with these kids. I’m really excited about the future of this program.”
Masiello, who has two years remaining on a five-year contract he signed upon taking his first head-coaching position in 2011, said he has had informal extension talks with the school, but he didn’t want to get involved in negotiations while the season was going on. He plans on meeting with the school next week to go over the details of a new deal.....
In his first season, Masiello led the biggest turnaround in Division I, winning 21 games, then took the Jaspers to the MAAC championship game in his second season. In reaching its first NCAA Tournament in 10 years this season, Manhattan finished with 25 wins, tied for the second-most in school history.
Though bigger schools could be calling, Masiello believes the Jaspers will soon be annually referred to as one of the best mid-major programs in the country.
“I don’t see there being a ceiling to this job,” said Masiello. “I think, where we are right now, in the next four years, we could get to two Sweet 16’s. That’s how I feel. We’re right there. We’re on the cusp.”....
... New Manhattan athletic director Noah LeFevre didn’t want to discuss the specifics of an extension, but said he doesn’t anticipate a problem in the two sides reaching an agreement. “I’m not just confident because I’m confident. I’m confident because we’re dedicated in doing everything that we can to have him be a member of the Manhattan community for many years to come,” LeFevre said. “I fully anticipate coach being our coach well into the future, meaning beyond his existing contract.”...
It'll be interesting to see if Masiello does in fact sign a contract extension or capitalizes on the Jaspers' success this year and head to a higher profile school.
It is also interesting that the Manhattan AD is offering Masiello a contract extension after he took the Jaspers to the NCAA Tournament and continually increased their home attendance and not before.
Maisiello's might as well clean out his office this week. His success and "pedigree" will get him something this summer. This is the type of coach speak we are all very aware of. Gotta say that so recruits dont jump ship and you are left holding the check if you dont get a higher job.
Last Edit: Mar 22, 2014 13:13:27 GMT -5 by stags10
Maisiello's might as well clean out his office this week. His success and "pedigree" will get him something this summer. This is the type of coach speak we are all very aware of. Gotta say that so recruits dont jump ship and you are left holding the check if you dont get a higher job.
You're probably right 10, this should be his time if the right job comes up. However keep in mind everyone is different. He might like it in NY (with a huge financial upgrade). For instance, Joe Hihalich could have left Niagara more than once for better opportunities in the past. Better example is down in Tennessee. Rick Byrd (Belmont) has been desired by many big-time programs over the years (including U. Tenn.), but he absolutely loves Nashville and doesn't want to go anywhere else. Just saying for that reason it might NOT happen right now. How about Cluess? Seems like he loves the area also and doesn't want to leave. Probably in his case he has an eye on St. John's if Lavin doesn't get better results in a couple of years.
Maisiello's might as well clean out his office this week. His success and "pedigree" will get him something this summer. This is the type of coach speak we are all very aware of. Gotta say that so recruits dont jump ship and you are left holding the check if you dont get a higher job.
You're probably right 10, this should be his time if the right job comes up. However keep in mind everyone is different. He might like it in NY (with a huge financial upgrade). For instance, Joe Hihalich could have left Niagara more than once for better opportunities in the past. Better example is down in Tennessee. Rick Byrd (Belmont) has been desired by many big-time programs over the years (including U. Tenn.), but he absolutely loves Nashville and doesn't want to go anywhere else. Just saying for that reason it might NOT happen right now. How about Cluess? Seems like he loves the area also and doesn't want to leave. Probably in his case he has an eye on St. John's if Lavin doesn't get better results in a couple of years.
Masiello with probably a $300,000 to $400,000 salary is in a great position to increase that with a contract extension at Manhattan or leave the NY area now or later. He is most likely not in a rush but doubling or tripling his salary is very tempting to anyone, especially at the MAAC level.
Manhattan coach Steve Masiello has emerged as a serious candidate to replace Stan Heath at South Florida, multiple sources told CBSSports.com on Saturday....
Masiello's mentor Rick Pitino was asked about Masiello and USF after Louisville's win over Saint Louis on Saturday. Pitino told the Tampa Bay Times Masiello had asked him about the job on Friday, and per Pitino, "I said, ‘For you, it's a grand slam.'”....
IMO, if your friend and mentor tells you the South Florida job "For you, it's a grand slam" then if offered he gone.
Manhattan will try to sign Masiello to a long extention. He should get around 500K/year for about 6 years. That's a 3 Million extention. So when Masiello leaves, Manhattan would get around a 1.5 Million buyout. Easy money. Masiello would probably sign that extention, unless he feels that would prevent another school from highering him. With the type of schools that would be going after Masiello, those schools should have not problem affording a 1.5 million buyout.
I think her needs to strike while the iron is hot. Manhattan will drop off a bit next year-losing a lot in Beamon and others. We beat them without him.