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| Charles "Guy" Rancourt played for Western Connecticut in the mid-1990s and is returning as head coach. Lycoming athletics photo |
After 10 years and three Division III NCAA Tournament appearances, Lycoming head coach Guy Rancourt has resigned the position to become the head coach at his alma mater, Western Connecticut State.
He replaces Jason Harlow, who spent two seasons as an interim head coach for the Colonials. He was 26-26 as head coach following the retirement of Bob Campbell.
"I'm excited to welcome back Guy to the WestConn family," Western Connecticut athletic director Lori R. Mazza stated on Thursday. "Guy has extensive coaching experience at the Division III and Division I levels and has demonstrated his ability, to be an essential part of, and lead, championship programs at multiple institutions. His philosophy of family, commitment to academics, athletic success and leadership are in line with our vision here at WestConn and I look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes and community at large."
Rancourt helped the Warriors win two MAC Commonwealth titles, appear in five MAC Commonwealth title games and he earned two MAC Commonwealth Coach of the Year honors and one D3hoops.com Middle Atlantic Region Coach of the Year award. Along the way, he coached 17 players to All-MAC Commonwealth honors, one to all-region accolades and two to the league's Rookie of the Year award.
"We are incredibly thankful for all the work that Guy Rancourt put into the Lycoming College men's basketball program over the last decade," athletic director Mike Clark said. "Guy is a tireless worker and a tremendous recruiter. We wish him and his family the best at Western Connecticut State and have no doubt the Colonials will have a bright future."
Rancourt is 231-137 in 14 years as a head coach, all at the Division III level, including four years and a 55-48 mark at John Jay from 1999-2003.
"I'm honored to return to my alma mater and once again be part of Western Connecticut's strong basketball tradition," acknowledged Rancourt. "I want to thank athletic director Lori Mazza, vice president Dr. Keith Betts, and president Dr. John B. Clark for this wonderful opportunity. To me, WestConn has been synonymous with success on the court, in the classroom, and throughout the community. My family and I are excited to be at Western Connecticut and honored to be continuing the tradition established by those before me."
Rancourt spent the five years prior to his stint at Lycoming working with NCAA Division I institutions, including three years at Stony Brook and a two-year stint at Florida State. Rancourt served as an assistant coach at Stony Brook under Steve Pikiell (now at Rutgers), handling coaching, recruiting and administrative duties for the Seawolves.
While at Florida State, Rancourt served as the director of basketball operations under Leonard Hamilton. His responsibilities included handling all in-office and budgetary matters, team travel, academic development, dining and housing contracts and serving as the director of the annual Leonard Hamilton Basketball Camp for Boys.
Prior to Florida State, Rancourt served as the head coach at John Jay. In his first season there, he led the team to 13 wins, improving from just two wins the previous year, and guided the Bloodhounds to an appearance in the City University of New York Athletic Conference quarterfinals. For his efforts that year, he was named the CUNYAC Coach of the Year. Rancourt led the team to a semifinal appearance in the conference tournament in 2001 and to a share of the CUNYAC regular-season title in 2002, improving the squad's record each year.
Along with his coaching duties at John Jay, Rancourt also served as the assistant director of athletics. He was responsible for scheduling, travel and facilities management for all 12 of the college's athletic teams.
Rancourt began his coaching career in 1997 at New Haven as an assistant coach. His duties throughout a two-year stay with the Chargers included recruiting, scouting and film exchange.
A native of Queens, N.Y., Rancourt played basketball at Archbishop Molloy High School on the same team as former Georgia Tech and NBA star Kenny Anderson. He continued his playing career at Western Connecticut, where, as a freshman, he helped lead the Colonials to the 1994 Eastern College Athletic Conference New England championship. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Western Connecticut in 1997.