NEW PALTZ, NY — SUNY New Paltz is pleased to announce the hiring of Dagan Nelson as the head men’s basketball coach.
"Having received so many applications from extremely talented candidates, it was the enthusiastic support from Dagan’s references combined with his thoughtful understanding of the challenges that lie ahead in enhancing the men’s basketball program made him a clear choice for the Committee," stated Athletic Director, Stuart Robinson.
Nelson takes over a men’s basketball program which has compiled a record of 174-282 since 1989, including an ECAC Championship, and 15 All-Conference selections.
"I look forward to working with and supporting Dagan in his efforts to produce a competitive basketball program that eventually is a contender for SUNYAC championships and more," Robinson said.
A native of Long Island, New York, Nelson comes to New Paltz after spending two years as the assistant coach at Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. He helped guide the Clippers to a 19-36 record over two seasons. In the 2005-06 season, the Clippers advanced to the semifinals of the NYCAC for the first time in over 15 years. Nelson says he is grateful to Tim Maloney, Associate Head Coach at the University of Massachusetts, for being a mentor to his coaching career.
Prior to Concordia, Nelson spent one year at Stony Brook where the Seawolves posted a 12-17 record and made it to the quarterfinals of the America East Conference tournament. Before Stony Brook, Nelson was a member of the coaching staff at Eastern Kentucky for two seasons. In 2003-04, the Colonels finished fourth in the Ohio Valley Conference and later advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time in over 13 years.
A 1996 graduate of Ramapo College with a bachelor’s degree in American studies, Nelson’s coaching background also includes stints at NYU, Pace, Melbourne Central Catholic High School in Florida, Kellenberg Memorial HS, and Suffolk West Community College. Nelson was the head coach at Melbourne for two seasons and complied a record of 37-22 and won the District Championship in 1998-99. In addition to his coaching duties, Nelson co-founded the St. Agnes Basketball Camp for boys and girls in 1997 and has worked as an instructor at the Five Star Camp for six summers.
Nelson was a two year member of the Ramapo basketball team from 1993-1995, after transferring from Nassau Community College. He led the Roadrunners in three point field goal percentage in 1993-94, and was second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) in 1994-95. During his senior year he averaged 12.5 points led the NJAC in three-pointers made.
