Rob Lanier is in his second year as an assistant coach in the University of Virginia men's basketball program. Lanier was the head coach at Siena College for four years before coming to Virginia.

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 knew he would 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 are valuable to us. He has head coaching experience that benefits us as we move the program forward. He also provides 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/Los Angeles Lakers), T.J. Ford (University of Texas/Toronto Raptors), Royal Ivey (University of Texas/Atlanta Hawks), Dahntay Jones (Rutgers University/Memphis Grizzlies) and Chris Mihm (University of Texas/Los Angeles Lakers).

Lanier also has international coaching experience. He was head coach of teams comprised of collegiate players from the United States that competed in Greece in 1999 and 2000, Germany in 1998, Italy in 1996 and the Netherlands in 1995.

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., he earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from St. Bonaventure in 1990 and his master's degree in educational counseling from Niagara in 1993.

Lanier earned four letters in basketball at St. Bonaventure. He was a three-year starter for the Bonnies and was the team's captain as a senior.

Lanier and his wife, Dr. Dayo Lanier, have two children - a son and a daughter.