MEMPHIS – Christian Brothers University Director of Athletics Brian Summers has announced John Reilly as the new Head Men's Basketball Coach, on Thursday, May 30. Reilly comes to CBU after a highly decorated career as head coach at Gannon University, where he spent 14 seasons. 
 
"After a quick, but extensive search that saw CBU receive more than 100 applicants for our men's basketball position I'm very pleased we were able to hire someone of John Reilly's quality," said Summers. "Coach Reilly is very well regarded in the coaching community, he has 26 years head coaching experience at Catholic institutions, and he has amassed a formidable record on and off the court. He just seemed to 'fit' CBU very well, and I look forward to him building on our program's success."
  
Reilly, who is the all-time winningest coach in Gannon history, finished his stint with a 242-162 record, which includes two PSAC Championships and five appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including the 2008-09 team that finished 30-4 and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. His teams have won at least 20 games in six different seasons.
 
The Bowie, Md., native ranks in the top-20 among all active NCAA Division II coaches in career wins (474). 
 
Under Reilly, Gannon excelled on the floor and in the classroom. His players were named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes 41 times during the team's 10 years in the conference. Also, 19 student-athletes in the last eight seasons have been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court. Reilly has also coached three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and seven Academic All-District award winners.

On the floor, Gannon finished with a winning record during eight of the last 10 seasons, winning 58 percent (165-121) of its games during that time frame. Gannon student-athletes have earned All-PSAC honors 19 times during Reilly's tenure. In addition, the program received three consecutive PSAC Western Division Freshman of the Year awards (2010-12) and another in 2017. In 2013-14, Adam Blazek and C.J. Oldham became the first Golden Knights to be named PSAC Western Division Athlete and Defensive Players of the Year. A'Darius Porter took home the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year accolade in 2014-15, and Damon Miraud kept up the tradition in 2017-18 with the West Defensive Player of the Year honor.

Reilly was named NABC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the second time in 2014-15 after leading Gannon to a 20-win season, for the 27th time in program history, and 24th NCAA Tournament appearance. The Golden Knights finished 23-9, winning their second consecutive PSAC Western Division regular-season title en route to their second PSAC Tournament Championship since joining the league in 2008-09. Defense was the key as the Golden Knights finished No. 1 among all NCAA Division II programs, allowing just 56.6 points per game.

The NABC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year selection was the fourth major award for Reilly during his 12-year tenure at Gannon. He received NABC Atlantic Region Coach of the Year accolades for the first time after his 2008-09 squad won the regional title en route to an NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance. Reilly also has a pair of PSAC Western Division Coach of the Year awards from 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Reilly's 2008-09 squad (30-4) set a school record for victories and winning percentage (.882).The squad advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the fifth time in school history while winning 26 games in consecutive seasons for the first time ever. It capped a brilliant two-year run with almost the same roster as Gannon posted a 56-9 combined record during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 campaigns.

Prior to his arrival at Gannon, Reilly spent 12 seasons as the head coach at Brescia University, a Catholic institution in Owensboro, Ky. He worked in a dual capacity during the final nine years, serving also as the school's Director of Athletics.

Reilly compiled a 232-145 record at Brescia. The Bearcats posted winning records during 10 of his 12 seasons, including each of the last nine. The NAIA program recorded five 20-win seasons and averaged 19.3 victories under Reilly's tutelage. Prior to his hiring in 1993, Brescia had failed to attain a winning record during any of the program's first 12 years of existence.

Reilly's Brescia teams were built around aggressive defense and rebounding. The Bearcats ranked fourth nationally in team defense during the 1999-00 campaign and seventh in 2000-01. The Cats led the country in rebounding margin during the 2000-01 season.

Brescia players earned All-America honors 14 times under Reilly. The amazing fact is that no Bearcat had ever achieved All-America status prior to Reilly's arrival. He has coached 12 All-Americans and four Academic All-Americans between his time at Brescia and Gannon. In 2005, Demontae Foots was named to the All-America first team and Dane Russell earned Academic All-America accolades.

Reilly began his coaching career at Gannon, serving on the staff for six years (1987-93). He was a graduate assistant for two seasons before accepting a full-time assistant coaching position in 1989-90. Reilly played basketball at Bowie High School, where he earned All-Prince Georges County honors. He also played on the collegiate level at Bowie State (Md.) University, where he was a two-year starter.

Reilly graduated from Bowie State in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He earned his Masters of Science degree from Gannon in the spring of 1989. Reilly is married to the former Donna MacAskill. They have one daughter, Kirsten.


WHAT THE BASKETBALL COMMUNITY IS SAYING ABOUT JOHN REILLY

Lennie Acuff - Lipscomb University Head Coach, former Head Coach of Alabama Huntsville

"John Reilly is a fantastic hire for CBU! I have known John for over 20 years and I have so much respect for his coaching ability as well as the way he goes about developing young men. He is a great fit and there is no doubt in my mind that he will build on the winning culture that Mike had established over the past two decades."

Mike Helfer - Valdosta State University Head Coach

"I have known John Reilly for over 20 years and have nothing but respect for him as a coach and a person. He is not only an excellent basketball coach, but is a better mentor for the kids he coaches. He is a tireless worker and will continue the success of CBU basketball."

Marty Rowe - Lee University Head Women's Basketball Coach

"John Reilly is without a doubt the biggest influence I've had in my coaching career. My life changed 25 years ago when he gave me a spot on his first coaching staff at Brescia, and then convinced me to take the women's head coaching position there, five years later. His work ethic and attention to detail helped shape me into the coach I am today. I consider him the best coach I've ever been around. He is a great person, and I'm feel lucky to call him a good friend. Congrats to CBU on an outstanding hire!"