Franciscan Announces New Head Basketball Coach

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio—The wait is over. Franciscan University of Steubenville is proud to announce the hiring of John Lamanna as the new head men’s basketball coach.

“I couldn’t be more pleased about our decision,” said athletics director Christopher Ledyard. “We are embarking on a new phase of athletics here at the University, and John [Lamanna] is just the right coach to have on the bus to take us to the next level.”

Coming from a five-year stint as an assistant basketball coach at the University of California, Davis, Lamanna is ready to bring his five-prong coaching approach to Franciscan. “My program encompasses unity, passion, humility, servant hood, and thankfulness,” he said.

Stepping into a Division III basketball program after serving on Division I courts for 11 years, Lamanna was attracted to the non-scholarship format Division III schools follow. “I had a desire to coach student-athletes who were committed academically and athletically,” he said.

Franciscan University’s unique mission of sports and spirituality also caught Lamanna’s eye. Student-athletes who come to the University have a desire to grow in their spirituality while competing in their sport at a high level.

“The student experience at Franciscan is incredible,” noted Lamanna, “and to have the opportunity to mirror that student experience with a similar athletic [basketball] experience is a coach’s dream come true.”

The Spokane, Wash., native earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Washington State University and garnered firsthand experience of a collegiate athletics programs as a student assistant during his four years there. Upon graduating in 2004, Lamanna pursued a master’s in counseling at Loyola Marymount University while serving as director of basketball operations for the Lions. From there he was hired at UC Davis as an assistant men’s basketball coach. During this span of time, Lamanna held two stints working with USA Basketball—first with the Youth Festival Trials and second with the Junior National Team and Pan American Team trials. He also served as assistant coach on a college all-star team that competed against professional teams in New Zealand.

“I look forward to our future with John at the helm of the men’s basketball program,” added Ledyard. “His coaching experience and belief in the mission here at Franciscan is an invaluable strength for our student-athletes.”

For more information about Franciscan University Athletics, please visit the official home of Baron Athletics at www.franciscanathletics.com. For all press requests, please contact Sarah Bartley, Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations at (740) 283-6523 or sbartley@franciscan.edu.