April 18, 2001
Rob Lanier has been named Siena's 13th head men's basketball coach. Director of Athletics John D'Argenio made the announcement at a 2 p.m. press conference held at the College today.
"We are very pleased to have found the right person for the job," D'Argenio said. "Rob has a great basketball mind and is recognized throughout the industry for his hard work in recruiting student-athletes and developing their talents once they arrive on campus. I am confident that his presence will enrich the Siena community and further the on-court success of our basketball program."
Lanier, a 32-year-old native of Buffalo, comes to Siena from the University of Texas, where he spent the last two years as an assistant under Rick Barnes. Lanier was a vital part of Texas' recruiting success, helping the Longhorns land a consensus top-10 national class last season. This season, Texas finished with a 25-9 record and earned a six seed in the NCAA Tournament. It marked the first time in school history that Texas finished consecutive seasons ranked in the top-25 associated press poll (18 in 2001, 15 in 2000 poll).
Before his arrival in Austin, Lanier served as an assistant on Kevin Bannon's staff at Rutgers University. While at Rutgers, Lanier was instrumental in helping the Scarlet Knights secure back-to-back nationally-ranked recruiting classes. In his first year, the Knights' recruiting efforts culminated in a six-man class that was regarded by many publications as one of the nation's top 20 classes.
Prior to joining the staff at Rutgers, Lanier spent five seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure (1992-93 to 1996-97). While at St. Bonaventure, Lanier assisted in all aspects of the program for the Bonnies. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant and restricted earnings coach at Niagara University (1990-91 to 1991-92). During his two seasons at Niagara, he was responsible for academic support, scouting and on-campus recruiting.
Lanier received his first head coaching experience in the summer of 1995, when he led a group of American collegians on a tour of Germany. He also coached summer All-Star teams in Italy (1996) and Holland (1998). During the last two summers, Lanier led teams of college all-stars to back-to-back tournament championships in Greece.
Lanier graduated from St. Bonaventure in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. A four-year letterman with the Bonnies, he was a three-year starter and team captain during his senior season. Lanier, who scored 868 career points, was a 1987 Atlantic 10 Conference all-Freshman selection and the team's most improved player in 1988-89. A two-time scholar-athlete nominee, Lanier went on to earn a master's degree from Niagara in educational counseling in 1993.
"We are very pleased to have Rob on board at Siena," said President Father Kevin E. Mackin O.F.M. "It is a testament to our basketball program to have a candidate of his caliber accept the job. He is a proven winner on the court and is a person who has great passion for his student-athletes."
Lanier and his wife , Dr. Dayo Lanier are expecting their firstborn, Emory Jaali, June 13, 2001.
Lanier replaces Louis Orr who resigned on April 4 to take the head-coaching job at Seton Hall University.
Specific terms of Lanier's contract have not been released.
Rob Lanier Collegiate Coaching Records
Year College W L Highlights
2000-2001 Texas 25 9 NCAA 1st Round
1999-2000 Texas 24 9 NCAA 2nd Round
1998-1999 Rutgers 19 13 NIT 2nd Round
1997-1998 Rutgers 14 15 Big East Semis
1996-1997 St. Bonaventure 14 14
1995-1996 St. Bonaventure 10 18
1994-1995 St. Bonaventure 18 13 NIT 2nd Round
1993-1994 St. Bonaventure 10 17
1992-1993 St. Bonaventure 10 17
1991-1992 Niagara 14 14
1990-1991 Niagara 8 20
Coaching totals 176-159 (.525)
2 NCAA Tournaments
2 National Invitation Tournaments
Siena's All-Time Coaching records
Years Coach Record Pct.
Year Coach Record Pct.
1938-39 Jack Carroll 8-2 .800
1939-41 Henry Bunoski 21-16 .568
1941-65 Dan Cuhna 246-225 .522
1965-69 Tom Hannon 37-56 .398
1969-72 Gene Culnan 25-42 .373
1972 Rit Keith 2-5 .286
1972-82 William Kirsch 142-111 .561
1982-86 John Griffin 70-44 .614
1986-94 Mike Deane 166-77 .683
1994-97 Bob Beyer 22-59 .271
1997-00 Paul Hewitt 66-27 .709
2000-01 Louis Orr 20-11 .645
Totals ---- 825-675 .550
An Historical Overview of Siena College Basketball
Siena has participated at the NCAA Division I level since the 1976-77 season Siena's record over 24 years of Division I play is 424-292 (.615) Siena posted winning records in 11 straight seasons, three under John Griffin (1983-86) and eight under Mike Deane (1986-94) Siena has appeared in six Division I national postseason tournaments including two NCAA Tournament appearances (1989,1999) and four NIT appearances (1988,91,94,2000) The winningest coach in Siena history in terms of wins is Dan Cunha (246) and in terms of winning percentage is Paul Hewitt (.709). Mike Deane garnered the most Division I head coaching wins with 166. Siena has won 20 or more games 13 times, Dan Cuhna accomplished the feat four times, Mike Deane, four times, Paul Hewitt, two times, John Griffin, two times, and Louis Orr, one time. Orr, Hewitt, Deane and Griffin all posted 20-win seasons at the Division I level. Siena plays in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Saints were crowned Tournament champions in 1999, and regular-season champions in 1999-2000. The school also shared the regular-season title in 1990-91, 1998-99 and 2000-01. The record for most wins in a season is 27 set in 1949-50 under Dan Cunha. Paul Hewitt and Mike Deane led Siena to 25 wins in 1988-89, 1990-91, 1993-94 and 1998-99.
