Coming off a whirlwind past 12 months for men’s basketball head coach Tobin Anderson here at Iona University, Ionian Arts & Entertainment editor Connor Coppola got the chance to ask the coach questions about his historic accomplishment last season, along with some goals and aspirations for the Gaels’ basketball team.
Q: It has certainly been a crazy past year for you, what has been the biggest challenge coming to a new school and dealing with the world of college sports currently in terms of the NIL and transfer portal?
A: “That’s a great question and great point, this is now my fifth college job, recruiting is totally different now with the multiple time transfer rule, it has now turned from a three-year recruiting plan to a one-year plan. It’s been a challenge, but we’re navigating it and were looking forward to going in a great direction.”
Q: Let’s take one last look at the dream win at FDU, is it more of an accomplishment a year later beating Purdue considering the team just went on a run to the final of the NCAA tour this season?
A: “I would think so because Purdue getting to the final and having a chance to win a national championship, and you look at it now for us to beat them, especially in that environment was pretty special. So, looking back now it is a bigger accomplishment seeing what they did and how good they were this year. I think last year if they got by us, they might have had a good chance to make the same kind of run, but we just happened to have a great night and end up winning the game.” Q: The famous “I think we can beat Purdue” quote from last year, do people still remind you of that certain moment? A: “I get a lot of attention, and people still talk to me about that. But as time goes on, it’s been great, but for me personally, especially here at Iona I’m ready to move on and make new memories and accomplishments. Anytime you’re a coach it’s hard to live in the past too much and so we’re trying to move forward. I’m ready to get Iona to the tournament and make a run next year.”
Q: You were with a very prominent NFL coach over the summer, Bill Belichick. Was there one main takeaway from that experience at Patriots training camp?
A: “First of all, the guy works. He works hard and he’s committed to it. There was no looking tired or exhausted, this is just what he’s about, there’s a reason he’s a great coach. He’s so detailed-oriented and personable, there were a bunch of great things I took away from that experience.”
Q: Moving back to the basketball court, is there one goal in mind for the upcoming Gaels men’s basketball season?
A: “I think here we’re always trying to win the MAAC, win the MAAC tournament, go to the NCAA tournament and get a good seed. Once you get to the tournament, you’re always trying to win a game, you know one thing Iona has not done before is win a tournament game, so we’re trying to do that.”
Q: Was Zach Edey the toughest player you have ever had to gameplan against?
A: “He’s definitely the biggest person I have ever had to gameplan for. I got a lot of respect for him, he’s a great player, for a guy his size, he handles his size well and he’s got great hands.”
