May 16, 2008
LOWELL, MA - Greg Herenda, a former assistant men's basketball coach at UMass Lowell from 1983-85, was selected as its head men's basketball coach Friday following a nationwide search, Director of Athletics Dana Skinner announced.
Herenda, who spent the last year as head coach at Division III Cabrini College in Radnor, PA, brings more than 20 years experience at all NCAA levels to the program. He succeeds Ken Barer, who resigned recently after seven seasons.
Herenda's year at Cabrini followed one year as head coach at Elgin Community College (2006-07) in Elgin, IL, and five years as the associate head coach at East Carolina University (2000-05) under Head Coach Bill Herrion, currently the head coach at New Hampshire.
Herenda also served as an assistant at Yale (1997-99) under Dick Kuchen, at Seton Hall (1994-97) and Holy Cross (1989-94) under George Blaney following a four-year spell at his alma mater Merrimack (1985-89) under Bert Hammell.
During his two years with the (then) Chiefs, Herenda played a large role in recruiting the ULowell team that won the 1988 NCAA Division II Championship, including All-American guard Bobby Licare and All-New England standout Gavin Cummings. Herenda's younger brother, Billy, played for the Chiefs from 1984-88.
"Greg brings a breadth of experience and a reputation for building lasting relationships that will be beneficial as we attempt to strengthen the program and broaden its appeal to prospective student-athletes, alumni, and members of the Merrimack Valley basketball community," said Skinner. "He's come full circle, having started his career at Lowell, and we're pleased to have him back as our head coach."
Herenda inherits a UML squad which finished 12-17 overall (8-14 in the Northeast-10 Conference/11th) and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NE-10 Tournament with a 70-69 upset at Merrimack.
The River Hawks return six veterans from the 2007-08 team (four sophomores and two freshmen), including four starters. Also expected back is junior guard Brandon Shelton, who sat out the 2007-08 season.
"First and foremost, Lowell is where I started my coaching career and I still feel very connected here," said Herenda. "I helped recruit a lot of the guys who graduated and won the NCAA championship in 1988, so my connection to the school runs deep. I feel very honored and indebted to Chancellor Meehan and Dana Skinner for giving me this opportunity.
"One of the things that excited me about UML was meeting the players," he added. "I saw that they had a real hunger and toughness about them, and I'm really excited to work with them. There is a lot of work to be done, but there are good days ahead of us."
Among the many highlights in his coaching career, Herenda helped lead Holy Cross to great success from 1989-94. The 1992-93 Crusader squad posted a record of 23-7 (12-2 conference) and captured the Patriot League Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where it suffered a 94-64 loss to Arkansas.
Additionally, Holy Cross's 1989-90 team captured the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) North regular season championship and went on to earn an NIT bid where it lost at Rutgers (87-78).
Herenda's three-year stay at Seton Hall was highlighted by a 16-14 finish and an NIT appearance in 1994-95. Among his recruits were Shaheen Holloway, former McDonald's All-America Game Most Valuable Player and a three-time Big East Conference all star; as well as Raimondas Kaukenas, both who led SHU to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2000.
During his four-year stay as a coach at Merrimack, Herenda helped guide the Warriors (22-10, 13-5 NE-10) to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division II Championship in 1989. The 1985-86 Warriors compiled a 19-9 clip (9-5 NE-8) and advanced to the NE-8 Tournament final.
Over the past two years, Herenda guided Cabrini and Elgin Community College to remarkable turnaround seasons. Last year, Cabrini posted a 12-14 mark (9-7 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference/fifth), up from a 5-20 overall clip (4-14/ninth) in 2006-07.
Simultaneously, Herenda served as a lead analyst and color commentator for YES Network's Ivy League basketball telecasts.
The 2005-06 ECC team went 18-11 overall, won the Skyway Conference championship and reached the Region IV District B Junior College Championship game for the first time in school history.
A four-year player at Merrimack College, Herenda led the Warriors to a 17-10 finish (13-5 NE-8) in 1981-82 and a 14-13 clip (8-11 NE-8) in 1982-83. He still holds the school record for assists in a game (22) and shares the record for the single season average (9.0). He graduated in 1983 with degree in business administration and marketing.
A graduate of St. Peter's Prep H.S., Herenda played for legendary coach Jerome Halligan.
Herenda is a native of North Bergen, NJ. He currently lives in Ardmore, PA, with his wife, Jillene, and son, Trey (5).
