Hartwick Coach Todd McGuinness
Accepts Case Western Reserve Post
ONEONTA – Hartwick College this morning announced head men’s basketball coach Todd McGuinness will resign to become the head coach at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
McGuinness, who served as an assistant coach for three seasons with the Spartans from 2006-09, will begin his head coaching tenure on Aug. 1.
The coach has guided the Hawks to four appearances in the NCAA Tournament and three Empire 8 Conference titles over the course of his seven seasons at the helm.
“I want to thank Todd for his seven years of service to Hartwick,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Kim Fierke. “He has made a positive impact on our scholar-athletes and the competitiveness of the men’s basketball program. He will be missed.”
During his tenure as coach, McGuinness piloted the program to a record of 114-72. He currently ranks third in men’s basketball coaching victories at ’Wick behind only Nick Lambros and Roy Chipman.
“Hartwick is a special institution where I’ve made so many great relationships which makes this decision tough for me,” stated McGuinness. “President Drugovich and Kim Fierke have been very supportive of Hartwick athletics and I thank them in playing a big role in the success we’ve had.”
McGuinness wasted little time making his mark on the program as he helped the Hawks to the Empire 8 playoffs for the first time in just his second season in 2011. ’Wick would take down Stevens on the road and St. John Fisher at home to claim the league title and end a 15-year hiatus the NCAA Tournament.
The following season, the Hawks tied a program record for wins with a 23-4 mark, which included a conference regular season crown, and its second straight appearance in the national tournament. For his efforts, McGuinness was named the 2012 Empire 8 Coach of the Year.
Hartwick earned the top seed in the Empire 8 playoffs two years later in 2014 and registered home victories over Alfred and Nazareth to secure the program’s second league crown and third NCAA berth in four years.
This past season, McGuinness took the third-seeded Hawks on the road for wins against Nazareth and at top-seed and host St. John Fisher for yet another Empire 8 championship and spot in the NCAA Tournament.
“The alumni and our outstanding scholar-athletes are what make Hartwick an amazing place to work,” McGuinness added. “I can’t thank the fantastic players who I’ve had the opportunity to coach enough. Just as importantly, I want to thank Nick Lambros for everything he’s done.”
Hartwick College will conduct a national search for McGuinness’ replacement.