The Binghamton University men’s basketball program is turning the page on its dismal 2011-12 season.
Binghamton has hired Tommy Dempsey as its new men’s basketball head coach, Athletic Director Patrick Elliott announced on Thursday.
“Tommy Dempsey is a great addition to the University, our athletics department and the greater Binghamton community,” he said, according to Binghamton Athletics. “As we narrowed our strong candidate pool, Tommy stood out and the more we spoke, it became clear to me that we shared a similar vision for the future of the program.”
Dempsey will replace Mark Macon, who guided the Bearcats for the past three seasons as head coach. Macon was fired in April, shortly after three of the Bearcats’ core freshmen — Chris Longoria, Ben Dickinson and Omar Richards — all indicated they would transfer from Binghamton following the team’s 2-29 mark this season.
Despite the lack of success the program has had in recent years, Dempsey said he is optimistic about the rebuilding job he has taken on.
“This is an exciting time to be a part of Binghamton University,” he said. “I am looking forward to getting on the court with the players this summer and establishing our culture as a program … I am anxious to get to work.”
Dempsey, a Scranton, Pa., native, served as the head coach at Rider University in New Jersey for the past seven seasons.
The 38-year-old accrued a 119-105 career record at Rider and led the Broncs to national postseason tournaments in three of the last five years. His teams averaged 17 wins per season during his time at the helm.
Dempsey guided Rider to the third-most total wins of any program in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, trailing Siena College and Fairfield University.