I mentioned this one last Friday (D2 DIRT). It’s now official – John Baron has taken over as the head basketball coach at D2 Holy Family University. Here’s the official statement from the school:
The Holy Family University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of John Baron as its Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
Baron arrives at HFU after building one of the most successful programs in the region over the last 22 seasons at Gwynedd Mercy University, where he compiled a 404-196 overall record and qualified for the postseason every year.
His teams participated in six NCAA Tournaments – advancing to Second Round on three occasions and the Sweet 16 once – and won 2020 ECAC Tournament. They were nationally ranked six times.
In league play, the Griffins were 259-99 and won six conference tournament championships.
“We are thrilled to welcome John Baron as the next head coach of Holy Family University Men’s Basketball,” said HFU Athletic Director Tim Hamill. “Coach Baron brings a pedigree of leadership, player development, and a relentless commitment to excellence both on and off the court. His deep ties to the region and proven track record in building a winning culture align perfectly with our vision for the future of Tigers basketball. We are confident Coach Baron will inspire our student-athletes to reach new heights in the classroom, in the community, and in competition.”
Baron was a finalist for the Glenn Robinson National Coach of the Year in 2016, when he was named National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
Additionally, he is a three-time Conference Coach of the Year, two-time Philadelphia Small College Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year and both an ECAC South and a City of Basketball Love Philadelphia Area Coach of the Year.
Baron has overseen the development of 44 All-Conference performers, seven All-Region selections and one two-time All-American.
In the classroom, 75 of his student-athletes have graduated during his 22-year career, with 20 earning NABC Honors Court recognition.
In addition to his coaching duties at Gwynedd Mercy, Baron has been an administrator and academic coordinator since 2009, which consisted of coordinating games and athletic events, assisting athletes in academic achievement, and monitoring academic progress of at-risk student-athletes and compliance.
He also immersed himself in the campus as a member of the Retention Committee, Assessment & Intervention Committee, Residence Life Task Force and Athletics Strategic Planning Committee.
Baron began his collegiate coaching career at Ursinus College, helping the Bears to a 16-9 overall record and postseason appearance in 1999-200, before spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Gwynedd Mercy, which included advancing to the postseason in 2001-02.
He also has experience at the international level, having recruited and coached for USA Athletes International and American International Sport Teams University.
Baron received his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from York College of Pennsylvania, before going on to earn his Master of Education in Curriculum, Instruction and Supervision from Penn State University.
He has served on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional Advisory, including as an NCAA Game Administrator on three occasions, and is a member of both the NABC and the Philadelphia Small College Basketball Coaches Association.
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