Iona Fires Coach Tobin Anderson After Two Seasons

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Iona College announced Monday that it has dismissed men’s basketball coach Tobin Anderson following two seasons at the helm.

Anderson’s departure comes after the Gaels concluded the 2024-25 season with a 17-17 record and a loss in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship game to Mount Saint Mary's on Saturday. Iona finished 33-34 under Anderson’s leadership since he took over in March 2023.

Under Anderson, Iona achieved noteworthy success, including a spot in the MAAC title game, a turnaround from the previous season’s performance. Athletic Director Matthew Glovaski confirmed the decision to part ways with Anderson in a statement.

Anderson was initially hired to replace Rick Pitino, who left for the head coach position at St. John's. His coaching legacy includes leading Fairleigh Dickinson to a stunning upset against No. 1 Purdue in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, marking just the second instance in history of a No. 16 seed defeating a No. 1 seed in the first round.

An experienced coach, Anderson previously spent nine seasons at Division II St. Thomas Aquinas, where he compiled a record of 209-62. His coaching career also included time at Division III schools Clarkson and Hamilton.

The Gaels’ performance under Anderson included a notable late-season surge, with victories in their final three regular-season games and two tournament wins, the latter highlighted by a significant upset over top-seeded Quinnipiac.

As speculation around Anderson’s replacement heats up, reports indicate that Iona is targeting assistant coach Dan Geriot to fill the position. Geriot previously worked as an assistant for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was head coach of the G League’s Canton Charge.

Anderson’s departure raises questions about the future of Iona’s basketball program, which has a strong reputation within the MAAC, including 16 NCAA tournament appearances. The program is regarded as one of the top coaching opportunities in the conference, particularly following the success of former coach Tim Cluess, who led the team to four straight NCAA tournaments from 2016 to 2019.