FDU basketball coach Tobin Anderson leaves the program for Iona

New Rochelle, New York - After a historic run in the NCAA March Madness Tournament, Fairleigh Dickinson head coach Tobin Anderson has left the program for Iona basketball!

After a historic run in the NCAA March Madness Tournament, Fairleigh Dickinson head coach Tobin Anderson is leaving the program.
After a historic run in the NCAA March Madness Tournament, Fairleigh Dickinson head coach Tobin Anderson is leaving the program.  © Dylan Buell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Iona shocked the college basketball world by naming Anderson as its new head coach on Monday.

The swift hire came less than 24 hours after Iona's former head coach Rick Pitino resigned to take the head coaching job at St. Johns.

"Tobin Anderson is a widely respected coach who has excelled at every level of the game and has proven that he can lead a mid-major program to NCAA tournament victory," President Seamus Carey said in a statement. "Iona is building a program of national prominence and Tobin has demonstrated that he is the leader to take us there."

Most recently, Anderson stepped into the national spotlight when he led Fairleigh Dickinson into the 2023 NCAA Tournament in his first season with the program.

The 51-year-old made history when his team defeated No. 1 seeded Purdue in the first round, marking it the largest upset in tournament history!

"I appreciate this tremendous opportunity from Matt Glovaski and Dr. Carey to be the next leader of one of the most storied basketball programs on the East Coast," Anderson said following the new hire.

He added: "Iona University represents everything my family and I were looking for in a school, a basketball program and a campus atmosphere. Our goal is to build upon the tremendous tradition of Iona basketball and elevate the program to greater heights."

Fairleigh Dickinson basketball honors Tobin Anderson with touching tributes

Fairleigh Dickinson basketball honored its former coach Tobin Anderson for his contributions to the program.
Fairleigh Dickinson basketball honored its former coach Tobin Anderson for his contributions to the program.  © ANDY LYONS / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Though there's a beautiful opportunity on the horizon for Anderson at Iona basketball, the move marks an emotional end for FDU basketball.

"Tobin Anderson is a great man, a great coach and forever a part of our legacy and the rich basketball history at FDU. He didn't throw away his shot," the FDU Knights basketball program said in a statement.

The team also tweeted a special "Thank You" graphic, to which Anderson replied, "Right back at you! Thank you!!!! It has been the time of my life for me + my family!"

"thank you for everything, coach. grateful for you for life," junior guard Joe Munden Jr tweeted, while a fan wrote, "You are forever a legend here at FDU Tobin, definitely sad about this but I had a feeling, good luck and god bless you to the fullest."

Following Anderson's departure, Fairleigh Dickinson promoted former assistant coach Jack Castleberry to the head coaching position.

Cover photo: Dylan Buell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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