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| Montclair State athletics file photo |
Marlon Sears has been named the head coach of the Amherst men's basketball program, it was announced today. Sears was, most recently, the associate head coach at Columbia. 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 Don Faulstick, Amherst's athletic director. "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."
Sears replaces Hixon, who announced his retirement in April after compiling an 826-293 mark as head coach. Toomey was 18-8 while Hixon was on sabbatical in 2019-20.
Before rejoining Columbia a year ago, Sears served as the head coach at Montclair State 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 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 plus-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 and Cornell (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 athletic director 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 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, Kansas.