Marshall basketball coach Dan D’Antoni, the oldest coach in Division I at 76, is stepping down after 10 seasons at the helm. The school announced that assistant coach Cornelius Jackson will be taking over the coaching duties.
The terms of Jackson's agreement were not disclosed, and the nature of D'Antoni's departure was not specified in the school's statement. Marshall simply stated that there would be 'a leadership change.'
Marshall's sports information director did not immediately respond to requests for further details.
Marshall's athletic director, Christian Spears, praised D'Antoni's contributions, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the program and the community. D'Antoni leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Under D'Antoni's guidance, Marshall finished the season with a 13-20 record, marking their second year in the Sun Belt Conference. His departure follows a successful season last year, where Marshall achieved a school-record 24 regular-season wins.
D'Antoni, who amassed 177 wins during his tenure, led Marshall to the NCAA Tournament in 2018, breaking a long drought for the program. Jackson, who has been an assistant under D'Antoni since 2017, is set to continue the team's progress.
Before joining Marshall, Jackson served as an assistant coach at Cleveland State and UT Martin. A former standout player at Oak Hill High in West Virginia, Jackson brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
D'Antoni's coaching career spans from the NBA to high school basketball. He spent nine years as an NBA assistant coach under his brother, Mike D'Antoni, before returning to his alma mater in 2014. D'Antoni's ties to Marshall run deep, having played for the Thundering Herd and later coaching the team.
Despite the challenges and successes, D'Antoni's impact on Marshall basketball will be remembered fondly. As the program transitions to a new era under Jackson's leadership, the Marshall community looks forward to the continued growth and success of Thundering Herd basketball.
