Jamion Christian’s tenure at Siena appears to be over after one year, as Saints’ coach has reportedly accepted vacant head coaching position at George Washington. (Photo by Vincent Simone/Daly Dose Of Hoops)
Siena is apparently on the verge of having its third different head coach in as many seasons, as Jamion Christian has accepted the head coaching vacancy at George Washington.
Christian, who turns 37 in April, replaced Jimmy Patsos last May, and guided the Saints to a 17-16 record and semifinal appearance in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament. Picked last of eleven MAAC teams in the preseason coaches’ poll, Siena ended up finishing in a four-way tie for second place in the league, and boasted the conference’s Rookie of the Year in freshman guard Jalen Pickett. His departure from the Capital Region makes Siena the third MAAC school to have a coaching vacancy this offseason, joining Fairfield and Niagara after Sydney Johnson and Chris Casey were fired on March 11.
Christian’s candidacy at George Washington, which dismissed Maurice Joseph last week after three seasons at the helm, was first reported by CBS’ Gary Parrish Thursday afternoon. Michael Kelly, who covers Siena for the Daily Gazette in Albany, later tweeted that the coach had accepted the job. In six years at Mount St. Mary’s prior to taking over at Siena, Christian went 101-95, taking the Mountaineers to two NCAA Tournaments out of the Northeast Conference.
Carmen Maciariello, Christian’s top assistant who is also a Siena alumnus, was named interim head coach, and appears to be among the leading candidates to replace Christian should the position be filled from within the program.
“He has as much experience in this program as anybody around,” Siena athletic director John D’Argenio said of Maciariello, who assisted Fran McCaffery at Siena in the mid-2000s before joining Ed Cooley at Fairfield and Providence prior to his return to the Saints, which was preceded — ironically — by a stint at George Washington. “He’s coached for a lot of great coaches, from Fran McCaffery to Ed Cooley, so he knows what it means to be a Siena Saint. I think that’s what’s important for these guys in this program to keep moving forward.”
No Siena player has officially asked for a release to transfer, but rumors have suggested that Pickett, a contender for MAAC Preseason Player of the Year honors going into his sophomore season, would depart should Maciariello not be promoted.
More information will be posted on this story as it becomes available.
“He has as much experience in this program as anybody around,” Siena athletic director John D’Argenio said of Maciariello, who assisted Fran McCaffery at Siena in the mid-2000s before joining Ed Cooley at Fairfield and Providence prior to his return to the Saints, which was preceded — ironically — by a stint at George Washington. “He’s coached for a lot of great coaches, from Fran McCaffery to Ed Cooley, so he knows what it means to be a Siena Saint. I think that’s what’s important for these guys in this program to keep moving forward.”
No Siena player has officially asked for a release to transfer, but rumors have suggested that Pickett, a contender for MAAC Preseason Player of the Year honors going into his sophomore season, would depart should Maciariello not be promoted.
More information will be posted on this story as it becomes available.
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