|
Rob Lanier is in his first year as an assistant
coach in the University of Virginia men's basketball
program. Lanier was the head coach at Siena College
the previous four years.
During Lanier's four years as Siena's head coach,
the Saints participated in one NCAA Tournament and
one National Invitation Tournament (NIT). His four
Siena teams compiled an overall record of 58-70.
Siena won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)
Tournament Championship in 2002 to earn a spot in
the NCAA Tournament. The Saints defeated Alcorn
State in the NCAA Tournament opening round game
before losing to eventual national champion
Maryland.
During the 2002-03 season, Lanier led Siena to a
21-11 record and a third-place finish in the MAAC
with a 12-6 record. The Saints earned a berth in the
NIT where they defeated Big East Conference member
Villanova in the opening round and Western Michigan
in the first round before losing to
Alabama-Birmingham in the second round. During the
regular season, Siena beat Providence, another
member of the Big East. It marked the first time in
school history the Saints beat two Big East teams in
the same season.
Prior to becoming the head coach at Siena, Lanier
was an assistant coach at the University of Texas
for two years (1999-2001). He was also an assistant
coach at Rutgers University for two years (1997-99)
and at St. Bonaventure University for five years
(1992-97). He began his coaching career at Niagara
University where he was a graduate assistant coach
for one year and a restricted earnings assistant
coach for one year.
"Having known and watched Rob for many years, I am
convinced he will be a tremendous asset to our
program," said Virginia head coach Dave Leitao. "As
an assistant coach, he has recruited successfully on
a national level and his contacts will be valuable
to us. He has head coaching experience that will be
of benefit as we move the program forward. He will
also provide the type of relationships with our
players that will help them grow and reach their
goals both athletically and academically."
Lanier has coached and recruited many prominent
players, including Maurice Evans (University of
Texas/Detroit Pistons), T.J. Ford (University of
Texas/Milwaukee Bucks), Royal Ivey (University of
Texas/Atlanta Hawks), Dahntay Jones (Rutgers
University/Memphis Grizzlies) and Chris Mihm
(University of Texas/Los Angeles Lakers). |
