the Informer

Coach Dan Leibovitz announced his resignation Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Hartford Sports Information

Update April 15, 2010 5:55 p.m.: John Gallagher will be named head coach of the Hartford men’s basketball team, according to the Hartford Courant.

Gallagher was most recently assistant coach for the University of Pennsylvania team–the team Leibovitz is rumored to be announced as assistant coach as early as Friday. Before that, he was an assistant under Leibovitz at the University of Hartford before he left for UPenn in 2008, according to ESPN.

Update: According to a tweet from the Office of Communication at the University of Hartford, an announcement will be made regarding a new head coach at 11:30 a.m.

Men’s basketball coach Dan Leibovitz abruptly announced his resignation Tuesday night, ending a four-year tenure at Hartford that included guiding the school to its first-ever America East title game appearance in 2008.

Leibovitz, 36, had four years remaining on his contract, which was extended after the school-record 18 wins two years ago. His departure leaves the university in search of its 10th men’s basketball coach.

“I was very fortunate to be there for four years,” Leibovitz said Wednesday night. “It was a privilege and I wish them the best in the future.”

“Dan Leibovitz is the first coach in program history to bring us to a conference championship game (2007-08),” Director of Athletics Patricia H. Meiser said Tuesday night. “He has recruited good student-athletes who have brought integrity to our program. We certainly wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Leibovitz, who came to Hartford following 10 years at Temple as John Chaney’s assistant, led Hartford to 31 wins in his first two seasons, but has amassed only 15 wins since.

Leibovitz met with his team Tuesday to inform them of his decision, a decision he said was difficult while also adding that he was just honest with the players, although he didn’t expect them all to completely understand.

With their head coach gone and a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the program, current players learned of the sudden decision late Tuesday and although surprised, had nothing but praise for their former coach.

“We had some good moments,” said junior guard and co-captain Joe Zeglinski. “Making it to the America East Championship Game was exciting. I’ll never forget that year that we had, but we weren’t able to be consistent with our play the last two years. We were all surprised, but we wish Coach the best of luck.”

Zeglinski, one of Leibovitz’s first recruits, flourished in the coach’s system, earning first-team All-Conference as a sophomore before redshirting in 2009 after tearing a ligament in his ankle. Zeglinski holds the school’s all-time 3-point record and led the Hawks in scoring this season with 16.5 points per game.

Junior point guard Andrew Torres, who Leibovitz recruited all the way from Puerto Rico, acknowledged the unexpected decision is difficult on the players, but also respects his coach’s choice.

“We had such a successful season in my freshman year, we thought that things would take off from there, but they haven’t worked out that way yet,” Torres said.

“It’s hard on us that he is leaving. As a player, you expect to play for the same coach for four years. We just have to work hard in our last year to reach our goals. I understand his decision and why he made it, so I wish him the best of luck.”

Although no official announcement has been made, ESPN reported Tuesday night that Leibovitz expects to become Jerome Allen’s top assistant at the University of Pennsylvania, where Leibovitz played from 1993-1996 with Allen. When asked about the report, Leibovitz declined to comment on his future plans.

While the team struggled to an 8-22 this past season, the administration was overall content with the program’s direction.

“Dan Leibovitz is a superb individual,” said University President Walter Harrison. “I deeply appreciate all he has done for the university and for our students and fans for the past four years.”

“I was surprised to learn he was leaving, but these things happen,” Harrison added.

The university’s athletic department will now begin a nationwide search for the team’s next head coach, its fifth since moving to Division I in 1984.

“We have immediately begun the search for our new head coach, and I am extremely confident that we will find a great new leader for our men’s basketball team,” Harrison said.