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.

The Spokane, Washington, 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.

John Lamanna also currently serves as the Internal Operations & Statistics Coordinator at Franciscan University.

Phillip Murray joined the men's basketball coaching staff in 2011. He serves as the scouting director, game exchange coordinator, and assists in recruitment. Murray is in charge of coaching the team's defense.

Murray, a Peotone, Ill. native, spent the last five seasons coaching junior varsity and varsity basketball at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Ill. He was in charge of prospective student recruitment and assisted in scouting. He also worked with all post players in the program.

He helped implement, and later moderated for two years the Internet Webcasting Department, streaming more than 300 broadcasts in five years.

Murray has three sisters and one brother and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Bill DiPiero joined the Baron basketball coaching staff during the fall of 2008 as an assistant men's basketball coach.

DiPiero grew up in Huntington, West Virginia, and played varsity basketball for two years at Saint Joseph Central High School. His career was highlighted by the first team all tournament and all-conference awards and was named first team all-state his senior year. He continued his career at Wheeling Jesuit University where he played his freshman year.

Recently, his participation in the Senior Olympics (50 - 54 division) as a member of the West Virginia national team resulted in a fifth and sixth place finish in 2005 and 2007, respectively.

Bill is married to Terri (Rocco '72) and is blessed with four children, Bill, Claire, Katie, and Leo.

"These student athletes have been a tremendous witness of Christian character in process, consistently building one another up and competing against one another in a spirit of true sportsmanship. I am proud to be a part of this team." 

Shane grew up in Yuma, Ariz., where he played varsity baseball for two years at Kofa High School. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Franciscan University, where he played for the Barons basketball team his senior year.  He is currently enrolled as a graduate business student at Franciscan.

Shane has worked in the Athletic Department at Franciscan as an intramural referee, sports information statistician, and Sports Information LEAD. He joined the Baron basketball coaching staff in the fall of 2011.