The long and winding road appears one step closer to redemption.
Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello has apparently completed the outstanding coursework that had previously stood between him and an undergraduate degree, placing one of the rising young stars in the college basketball coaching ranks on the fast track to returning to Riverdale sooner rather than later.
A spokesman for the University of Kentucky confirmed to ESPN's Jeff Goodman earlier this afternoon that Masiello had fulfilled the final requirements toward his degree, which will be awarded in August. The coach had been inadvertently thrust into the spotlight in April after it was discovered through a background check conducted by the University of South Florida, for whom Masiello nearly became the head coach following a 25-win season at Manhattan, that he did not yet earn his degree.
Manhattan sports information director Pete McHugh confirmed to A Daly Dose Of Hoops shortly after Goodman's report was published that there was nothing new to share regarding Masiello's reinstatement, but once there was, it would be passed along accordingly. Therefore, Masiello remains on leave from his post, with no definite timetable for his return.
In three seasons at the helm of the Jaspers, Masiello is 60-39, and will grace the bench this year as the reigning MBWA Coach of the Year after guiding Manhattan to its first MAAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance since 2004 this past March. Following a resilient victory over Iona to claim their conference title, the Jaspers took Louisville down to the wire in their Round of 64 matchup, leading with two minutes remaining in regulation before the Cardinals and Rick Pitino; who mentored Masiello before he became a head coach, escaped with a 71-64 win.
A Daly Dose Of Hoops will provide further information on this developing story once it becomes furnished and readily available.
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