Michael Neer, who concluded his 34th season as the head coach of the UR men’s basketball team in February, announced his retirement from coaching yesterday morning.
With a resume that includes 12 NCAA tournament appearances, three University Athletic Association Coach of the Year awards and one national championship in 1992, Neer finishes his career with a record of 563-326, making him the winningest coach in UR men’s basketball history.
‘It has been an honor and a privilege to lead teams representing UR,” Neer said in a press statement released by the Athletic Department on Wednesday morning. ‘It has been equally gratifying to see our players continue their success in their personal and professional lives.”
The Athletic Department has not yet begun searching for a replacement for the long-time coach, but at least one potential candidate is no longer in the running. Assistant coach Jim Driggs will also be departing UR after this year to take a head coaching position at Alleghany College in Pennsylvania.
The Yellowjackets finished this past year with a 15-10 record, falling just short of NCAA tournament contention. The 61-year-old Neer amassed an impressive 15-11 record in the postseason in over three decades coaching a winning percentage in the NCAA that is one of the 10-best all-time in Division III.
‘I want to thank Mike for his 34 years of service to the University and our students,” Athletics Director George VanderZwaag said in the press release. ‘He is a true coaching legend and his legacy at UR will endure.”
Hilfinger is a member of
the class of 2010.
