| Rob Clune was 165-223 as head
men's basketball coach at Bethany and Allegheny. Thiel athletics photo |
Following a national search, Thiel is happy to announce the hiring of Rob Clune as the new varsity women's basketball coach.
Clune, who was let go two years ago despite having some success as men's basketball coach at Allegheny, closed his career there with five consecutive seasons of 11 wins or more, peaking at 14-11 in his final season. Since then, the Gators have gone 12-39.
This will be his first year as a head coach of women's basketball, although he coached women's soccer and men's basketball for seven seasons at Bethany.
“I am thrilled to welcome Rob Clune as our new women's
basketball coach,” said athletic director, Jack Leipheimer.
“His experience, knowledge and integrity are impeccable and I
am looking forward to a long lasting relationship.”
Clune is very familiar with the Presidents' Athletic Conference
having served as head men's basketball coach at Bethany from
1995-2002. During his tenure at Bethany, Clune successfully built
the foundation for a championship basketball program. Bethany won
back-to-back PAC championships during the 2000-01 and 2001-02
seasons and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Clune also recruited
and coached four of the top six scorers in Bethany program history
including the first two D3hoops.com All-Americans. For his
efforts Clune earned PAC Coach of the year honors in consecutive
seasons.
Clune is not unfamiliar to coaching women; Clune was the head
women's soccer coach at Bethany from 1995-2002. His 1999 team won
the PAC championship leading the conference in every scoring
category. He also coached the top two ranked scorers in Bethany
women's soccer history.
Most recently he served as the head men's coach at Allegheny from
2002-10 where his teams qualified for every conference tournament
during his tenure. His teams regular were among the conference
leaders in many offensive and defensive categories. His 2009-10
team finished third in the NCAC and led the NCAC in scoring. Clune
recruited and coached only the third Allegheny player in program
history to be voted first team NCAC in consecutive seasons.
Clune is looking forward to his opportunity at Thiel, stating,
“I am very excited about being part of the Thiel College
community and again coaching in the Presidents' Athletic
Conference.”
Clune takes over a Tomcat women's basketball squad that finished
sixth in the conference last season, finishing the year with an
8-10 mark in the PAC, the most wins in conference for the program
since the 1987-88 season. “I'm looking forward to working
with a solid group of returning players, as well as the incoming
freshmen.”
The Tomcats' two all-conference performers, Barzak and Muffley
will highlight the returning players for Clune who takes over for
previous head coach Angie Zeuch.
Clune and the Tomcats will open their 2012-13 season on the road
at the LaRoche College tip-off on Nov. 16-17 against LaRoche and
Juniata and will open their home schedule against Carnegie Mellon
on Nov. 24. The Tomcats will the open PAC play at home on Nov. 28
when they take on Geneva.