Steve Masiello fired after 11 seasons at Manhattan

Just two weeks before the start of their season, the Manhattan Jaspers are making a change at head coach. Steve Masiello is out after 11 seasons, the school announced, and RaShawn Stores will serve as interim head coach for 2022-23.

Masiello went 162-177 overall and took the Jaspers to the NCAA Tournament twice (2014 and 2015), but the team has sputtered since then and has finished below .500 in all but one seasons (a 15-15 record last year).

“We thank Coach Masiello for his service and wish him well,” said AD Marianne Reilly. “As we look to building successful teams for the future — and with recruiting season beginning soon and Coach Masiello’s contract ending in April 2023 — we determined that it was the right time to begin rebuilding from the top down.”

Stores has been on the staff at Manhattan since 2017, most recently serving as associate head coach. He played for Masiello and was a key member of back-to-back MAAC Tournament winning Jaspers’ squads. At just 31 years of age, Stores is the youngest head coach in the MAAC and among the youngest in all of D-I men’s basketball.

“We are committed to a strong basketball program and excited that RaShawn — a proven team leader – will be leading our veteran team into what promises to be an exciting season. As we look to the future, we will be looking to identify a permanent head coach who can help us attract extraordinary talent on and off the court and build for the future. RaShawn will certainly be a candidate.”

The Jaspers kick off their season at VCU on Monday 11/7, with the home opener against Central Connecticut coming four days later.