Former Saint Sears Named Amherst Coach

Here is the official press release from Amherst:

Marlon Sears has been named the head coach of the Amherst College men’s basketball program, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Don Faulstick. Sears was, most recently, the associate head coach at NCAA Division I Columbia University. The appointment is effective July 1.

“I’m extremely excited  to have Marlon Sears on board as our next head coach of men’s basketball,” said Faulstick. “I am confident he’ll continue the storied culture of winning on and off the court and provide our student-athletes with a championship-caliber experience. Marlon has all the right characteristics to be an outstanding head coach in the NESCAC: he’s a tremendous recruiter, coach and educator and has genuine interest in all of his players’ many successes.

“At the same time, I’d like to thank David Hixon, a true ‘Amherst story,’ for building and maintaining an extraordinarily successful program over his 42 years at the College and for having a sustained impact on the lives of his players,” Faulstick continued. “We’re also indebted to Aaron Toomey, who did terrific work stepping up during Dave’s leave last season. Not only is he one of the finest players to have played at Amherst, he has been an excellent assistant and interim coach. Both of these men hold indelible places in the history of Amherst Athletics.”

Before rejoining Columbia a year ago, Sears served as the head coach at Division III Montclair State (N.J.) University from 2015-19, where he led the Red Hawks to some of the most successful seasons in the program’s history. His teams compiled a 59-46 record (a .561 winning percentage) and Sears mentored seven All-Academic honorees, six All-Conference players and a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and D3hoops.com Regional Rookie of the Year. The Red Hawks’ 18 wins during the 2017-18 season marked the highest win total for the program in seven seasons, while its 79.1 points per contest was the program’s highest single-season average in 24 years. In 2018-19, Sears guided MSU to the top of the Division III leaderboard in rebounding margin at 12.2 per contest.

“I am very excited to be the next head men’s basketball coach at an incredibly prestigious academic institution in Amherst College,” said Sears. “I would like to thank Athletic Director Donald Faulstick for the tremendous opportunity to lead a men’s program with such a rich history of success. I will work hard to guide the Amherst program to a similar high level of achievement on and off the court to where our College and Amherst communities can continue to be proud.”

Prior to his time at Montclair State, Sears spent seven years coaching in the Ivy League, as an assistant at both Columbia University and Cornell University (2009-15).

“Marlon is one of the most charismatic and energetic coaches you will come across at any level of college basketball,” said Joe Jones, head coach of men’s basketball at Boston University. “He coupled these attributes with a great understanding of the game while possessing a strong work ethic. Amherst and Marlon are a terrific match.”

“I am excited for both Marlon and Amherst College,” said Holly Gera, retired Director of Athletics at Montclair State. “This new partnership seems to be a perfect fit. Marlon’s knowledge, work ethic, personality and commitment to student-athletes make him an excellent coach. He embraces the Division III philosophy and he will foster excellence on and off the court. Amherst men’s basketball and Marlon Sears will thrive together.”

As a player, Sears was named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American following his senior season in which he averaged 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists per game. Sears earned a bachelor of science degree in communications from Newman University in Wichita, Kan.

Amherst College prepares students to use ideas to make a difference in the world. Since its founding, in 1821, in Western Massachusetts, Amherst has demonstrated steadfast confidence in the value of the liberal arts and the importance of critical thinking. Today, its financial aid program is among the most substantial in the nation, and its student body is among the most diverse. Small classes, an open curriculum and a singular focus on undergraduate education ensure that leading scholars engage daily with talented, curious students, equipping them for leadership in an increasingly global and complex world. The College will celebrate its bicentennial in 2021.

Marlon Sears’ Coaching Career
2020: Amherst College (Head Coach)
2019-2020: Columbia University (Associate Head Coach)
2015-2019: Montclair State University (Head Coach)
2010-2015: Cornell University (Assistant Coach)
2009-2010: Columbia University (Assistant Coach)
2008-2009: High Point University (Assistant Coach)
2006-2008: Wagner College (Assistant Coach)
2001-2006: Binghamton University (Assistant Coach)