Kosmanski |
Swarthmore athletic director Adam Hertz announced that Landry
Kosmalski, an assistant coach at Division I Davidson, has been
named the Garnet's head men's basketball coach.
"Landry stood out among an incredibly talented pool of candidates,
demonstrating a keen understanding of the Swarthmore environment
and a desire to lead a successful program while also participating
fully in the life of the college," said Hertz. "He has a firm grasp
of what it takes to lead this program and an intellectual curiosity
that will complement our culture at Swarthmore. We are very excited
that he has chosen to join our family."
Kosmalski, who replaces interim coach Joe Culley, is the 32nd
head coach in the 111-year history of Swarthmore men's basketball.
Culley replaced Lee Wimberly, who stepped down in
December when the Garnet was 0-6. Wimberly was 184-417 in
25-plus seasons and Swarthmore had winning records in just three of
his years at the helm.
"I am thrilled to be joining the Swarthmore community and I look
forward to building on the college's tradition of high
achievement," said Kosmalski. "I am confident that our
student-athletes can be as successful on the basketball court as
they are in the classroom, and I believe that commitment to
excellence will be the driving force behind the future success of
Garnet basketball."
A 2000 graduate of Davidson, Kosmalski arrives at Swarthmore after
serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 2004-06 and
2009-12. As an assistant coach, Kosmalski helped lead the Wildcats
to a pair of Southern Conference championships (2006 and 2012) and
two NCAA Tournament appearances (2006 and 2012). Working primarily
with post players, Kosmalski helped cultivate 2012 Southern
Conference Player of the Year award winners De'Mon Brooks and Jake
Cohen. Kosmalski also played an integral role in the program's
recruiting, scouting and academic support. In the five seasons that
Kosmalski has worked on the Davidson coaching staff, the Wildcats
have posted an overall record of 102-58.
Kosmalski had a prolific playing career at Davidson before moving
to the coaching staff. One of the best big men in program history,
Kosmalski was a four-year starter for the Wildcats, leading the
1997-98 squad to the NCAA Tournament. Kosmalski's playing accolades
while at Davidson include All-Southern Conference First Team in
1999 and 2000, as well as the Southern Conference Freshman of the
Year in 1997. He ranks third all-time at Davidson in rebounding
(877), 13th in scoring (1,438), and 10th in steals (121).
Between stints at Davidson, Kosmalski served as head boys'
basketball coach and dean of students at the Webb School in
Nashville, Tenn. As the boys' basketball coach at Webb, Kosmalski
helped improve the team's win total by nine games by his second
season. As the dean of students, he formulated and enforced student
personnel policy, served as a liaison between students, faculty,
and administration, and directed all aspects of student
discipline.
Kosmalski's basketball resume also includes extensive playing and
coaching experience overseas. Following his graduation from
Davidson in 2000 and until 2004, Kosmalski played for several
professional teams in Sweden and France. In 2006-07 before
beginning at Webb, Kosmalski served as head coach of the 08
Stockholm Human Rights Basketball Club developmental team and
assistant coach of the senior team.
A native of Bedford, Texas, Kosmalski and his wife, Lauren, have a
nine-month-old son, Lincoln.