Fairleigh Dickinson‘s Tobin Anderson, the breakout coaching star of the NCAA tournament, has agreed to a five-year deal to become the next coach at Iona, sources told ESPN.
Anderson’s hire was announced Tuesday, though contractual details were not disclosed. In a statement, Anderson said his goal is to “build upon the tremendous tradition of Iona basketball and elevate the program to greater heights.”
Anderson replaces Rick Pitino, who left Iona for St. John’s on Monday after three seasons. In replacing Pitino, Iona has struck quickly and lands a coach who captured the country’s attention with two NCAA tournament victories last week.
Anderson will need to reload Iona’s roster quickly, though, as the Gaels’ two best players entered the transfer portal on Tuesday, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Borzello. MAAC Player of the Year Walter Clayton Jr. entered in the afternoon, followed a couple hours later by Nelly Junior Joseph, a two-time first-team All-MAAC performer.