By Nick Veronica

Mike Maker

Mike Maker was named the new basketball coach at Marist today, filling the void created when Jeff Bower left earlier this month to become the general manager of the Detroit Pistons.

Maker comes from Division III Williams College, where he put up an impressive 147-32 record in six years as head coach while reaching two national championship games.

Maker has 26 years of head coaching experience, including 17 as a Division I assistant. He worked under former Canisius coach John Beilein at West Virginia from 2005-07. This is Maker’s first Division I head coaching job.

Marist’s Executive Vice President, Dr. Geoffrey Brackett, said in the school’s press release that Maker was “unanimously endorsed” by the search committee.

“We will implement a team first approach and unique style of play that highlights character, intelligence and skill, a direct reflection of our student body as a whole,” Maker said in the release. He will be introduced in an 11 a.m press conference at Marist’s McCann Arena on Wednesday.

Maker is the 11th head coach in Marist history and the third in the last three seasons. Bower spent only one season at Marist after replacing Chuck Martin, who was 48-118 in five seasons.

Marist’s best player, Chavaughn Lewis (17.3 ppg, second-team all-conference), must decide if he’ll play for his third coach or transfer. The Red Foxes are looking to build on their performance from last season, when they earned the 6-seed in the conference tournament and boasted the MAAC Rookie of the Year, Khallid Hart (14.7 ppg).

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