RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan College has named Steve Masiello its 23^rd head men's basketball coach in program history. A formal meet and greet to announce the Jaspers' newest basketball coach is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13 at 3:30 p.m. in Draddy Gymnasium.

Masiello arrives back in his native New York after spending the last six years in the Big East as an assistant at Louisville under head coach Rick Pitino. Over his six-year tenure at Louisville, Masiello helped lead the Cards' to a 148-61 (.708) overall record, six straight 20-win seasons and four NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the Elite Eight twice (2008 & 2009). Masiello played a vital role in building Louisville's 2009 Big East Championship team which won 31 games, including a program record 16 in conference, and entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.

"I am honored and humbled to be the next coach of Manhattan College," stated Masiello. "I am eager to lead the Jaspers back to prominence as being a premier program in the conference, and re-establishing our rich tradition and winning history."

One of the nation's most renowned recruiters, Masiello effectively directed the Cards' recruiting efforts by signing four Top-20 recruiting classes, which included four McDonald's All-Americans over his time in Louisville. The Cards' 2008 recruiting class garnered a No. 4 national ranking as it featured 2008 USA Today High School National Player of the Year and future NBA player Samardo Samuels.

Masiello was named one of the nation's Top-25 collegiate assistant coaches according to FoxSports.com (2010) & Rivals.com (2007). He managed the Cards' game preparation and scouting responsibilities for his last three years with the program as Louisville amassed a 76-29 (.724) overall record, including a 39-15 (.722) mark in the BIG EAST during this stretch.

"Steve has been a tireless worker in his six years at Louisville," explained Cards' head coach Rick Pitino. "I've seen him grow from a ball boy with the New York Knicks to an outstanding teacher of the game. I'm real proud of his efforts and I know he will do an unbelievable job turning Manhattan back into a winner."

Masiello returns to Riverdale where he helped lead Manhattan to three postseason appearances in four years (2001-2005) as an assistant coach, which included two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2003 & 2004) and one to the NIT (2002). Under his tutelage, the Jaspers posted an 83-36 (.697) overall record and won the 2003 & 2004 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships. Masiello was a key contributor on the Jaspers' coaching staff which helped lead Manhattan to its third NCAA Tournament victory in program history in 2004 defeating Florida in the First Round.

"Steve is a winner who has had success at each of his previous coaching stops and during his collegiate playing career at Kentucky," said Manhattan College Director of Athletics Bob Byrnes. "We are extremely fortunate to hire a well-respected, highly experienced coach who is familiar with building a winning tradition here at Manhattan College from his days as an assistant."

Prior to Manhattan, Masiello served as the administrative assistant at Tulane under head coach Shawn Finney for one year (2000-2001).

A 2000 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in communications, Masiello was a four-year member of the Wildcats' basketball team playing under head coaches Rick Pitino for one season (1996-97) and Tubby Smith for his final three years (1997-2000). During his playing career, Kentucky went to the Final Four twice (1997 & 1998), advancing to the National Championship game both times and winning the title in 1998. Masiello was named the Wildcats' co-captain his senior year.

Masiello hails from White Plains, N.Y., and attended Archbishop Stepinac High School. He completed his final two years at the Harvey School in Katonah, N.Y. where he helped the basketball program win the New England Prep School Athletic Association Championship. Masiello also served as a ball boy for the New York Knicks during his youth.

To follow Manhattan Athletics on Twitter, go to twitter.com/GoJaspers or visit Manhattan's Facebook fan page.