Phil Martelli, Jr. will begin his first season on the University of Delaware men's basketball coaching staff during the 2011-12 season.
Martelli, who spent the last five seasons at Niagara, replaces former UD assistant coach R.C. Kehoe, who accepted the head position at Holy Family University during the offseason.
Martelli helped the Purple Eagles to a 95-69 record during his five-year tenure at Niagara, guiding the squad to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006-07 and a National Invitation Tournament berth in 2008-09 when Niagara finished with a 26-9 mark.
Martelli’s duties at Niagara included working with the team’s perimeter players, recruiting, scouting, team travel and film exchange. He also helped mentor Purple Eagles point guard Anthony Nelson, a second team All-MAAC selection this season who led the nation with 3.4 steals per game.
Prior to arriving at Niagara Martelli spent one season at Manhattan College where he was responsible for film breakdown, recruiting, on-court coaching, scouting and player development.
Martelli broke into the coaching ranks in 2003-04 as a graduate assistant coach at Central Connecticut State, and was promoted to assistant coach at CCSU during the following season.
Martelli was a four-year member of the basketball team at Saint Joseph’s University from 2000-03 under his father, head coach Phil Martelli, as well as Ross, who was a Hawks assistant at the time. Martelli, who graduated from SJU in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, appeared in 35 career games for Saint Joseph’s, helping the Hawks to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and three regular season Atlantic 10 titles.
“We've been able to hire one of the rising stars in the business,” said Ross, who will begin his sixth season at the helm of the Blue Hens in the 2011-12 season. “We are very happy to add Phil to our staff, and he complements our staff very well. Phil is a good person as well as a good coach.”
Martelli and his wife, Meghan, reside in Media, Pa. with their two-year old son, Philip.
Updated 8/15/11
Head Coach Monté Ross
Assistant Coach Jeff Rafferty
Assistant Coach Mike Pegues
Director of Basketball Operations Saul Rafel-Frankel
