Scott Padgett Returns to Jaspers’ Sideline; Matt Grady, Rashon Burno and Matt Wilson Join Staff
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan College head men’s basketball coach Steve Masiello has announced the hiring of associate head coach Matt Grady, assistant coach Rashon Burno, along with coordinator of basketball operations Matt Wilson. They join assistant coach Scott Padgett who will return for his second season at Manhattan. Grady brings nine years of NCAA Division I experience to Riverdale, most recently serving as associate head coach at Morehead State University. Burno, a local product who won two National Championships at St. Anthony’s High School for Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley, comes to Manhattan after an assistant coaching stint at Towson University. Wilson worked as the assistant video coordinator at Louisville last season after serving as a student manager the previous two years under head coach Rick Pitino.
“All four guys bring a great knowledge and familiarity of our system and style of play. They all have strong work ethics and are very good teachers of the game, as well as great role models both on and off the court,” emphasized Masiello. “They are all tremendous additions to the Manhattan Jaspers family.”
Padgett, an eight-year NBA veteran and former University of Kentucky standout, joined the Manhattan staff last year after spending the 2009-2010 season at his alma mater on head coach John Calipari’s staff. The Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, finished with a 35-3 overall record and ranked in the top-5 of both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls, including a No. 1 ranking.
“I am very excited to remain a part of the Manhattan College basketball program,” explained Padgett. “It is even more exciting to work with a former teammate and close friend. I really look forward to being a part of turning this program around.”
The Louisville, Ky. native was a first round draft pick selected 28th overall by the Utah Jazz in 1999 and spent eight years in the NBA. Padgett recorded 1,142 points in four years with the Jazz before spending the next two seasons with the Houston Rockets. He played the 2005-06 season with the New Jersey Nets. Padgett began the 2006-07 season with the Rockets before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he finished out his career.
Padgett played at Kentucky with Masiello from 1995-99. He helped lead the Wildcats to the 1998 NCAA National Championship, where he was named to the NCAA All-Final Four team, as well as the NCAA All-East Regional team and All-SEC during the regular season. In 1997, Padgett helped Kentucky to the NCAA championship game and was named to the All-Final Four team. A true student-athlete, Padgett received All-SEC honors twice for his work on the hardwood, and he was also honored with Academic All-SEC honors in 1998 and 1999 for his success in the classroom. Padgett scored 1,252 points over his career, which ranks 32nd on Kentucky’s all-time list.
Grady comes to Riverdale with experience at the University of Louisville, the University of Cincinnati, New Mexico State, Murray State and Saint Joseph’s. He most recently worked for the past year as the Elite Camp Director with the Hoop Group, which is based in Neptune, N.J. In that role, Grady coordinated many events annually, including the Nation’s #1 Exposure Camp in July, along with Top-100 showcases over 13 locations along the east coast during the spring and fall featuring rising scholastic talent.
“I am enthusiastic for this opportunity to help Coach Masiello restore the winning tradition back to the Manhattan College basketball program,” said Grady. “Manhattan is a tremendous place and I look forward to being a part of the College community.”
Prior to the Hoop Group, Grady spent the 2009-2010 season at Morehead State, working under head coach Donnie Tyndall. In his one year at Morehead State, he helped guide the Eagles to 24 wins, the second most in school history. Grady was responsible for directing the scouting and game planning for each opponent, while assisting with recruiting and scheduling. At Morehead State, Grady worked with NBA prospect Kenneth Faried, who garnered Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year honors and ranked second in the NCAA for rebounding during his tenure.
Grady served as a special assistant to Pitino at Louisville for the Cards’ 2008-2009 team which posted a 31-6 overall record, won the Big East regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. He was primarily responsible for assisting with scouting opponents and developing game strategies. Grady spent his first term at Louisville from 2001-2003 as a graduate assistant during Pitino’s first two years with the program. The Cardinals won 44 games over the span and were Conference USA Champions in 2002-2003.
Grady worked as an assistant coach at New Mexico State University under head coach Marvin Menzies for the 2007-2008 season. The Aggies produced a 21-14 overall record and were Co-Regular Season Champions of the Western Athletic Conference.
He was the Director of Basketball Operations at Cincinnati in 2006-07 for head coach Mick Cronin. He oversaw team academic progress and performance, as well as scouting opponents and evaluating game film. Grady also served under Cronin at Murray State for three seasons prior to joining the Bearcats’ staff. At Murray State, he was the team’s academic liaison and played a key role in all aspects of on-the-floor coaching for a Racer program that produced a 69-23 (.750) overall record.
Grady began his coaching career with Phil Martelli at Saint Joseph’s University as a student assistant. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Saint Joseph’s in 2001 and was a four-year member of the junior varsity basketball team.
Burno, a standout point guard at DePaul University, reunited with his former college head coach Pat Kennedy as an assistant coach on his staff at Towson for the 2010-2011 campaign. The Blue Demons’ only three-time team basketball captain finished his career at DePaul third in program history with 201 steals. Burno helped lead DePaul to two postseason appearances in his four years (1998-2002) in Chicago.
Behind his leadership, the Blue Demons advanced to the National Invitation Tournament in 2000 after averaging 6.7 points, and leading DePaul with 80 steals and 148 assists, which rank third and 14th in school history for a single season. Burno helped guide DePaul to the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and was named to the Conference USA All-Tournament Team. He averaged 6.7 points as the Blue Demons finished with a 21-12 overall record.
Burno helped anchor back-to-back national championship runs for St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City under head coach Bob Hurley in 1996 and 1997. Burno began his coaching career at the high school level as head coach at Marmion Academy in Chicago from 2007-2010 where he also served as a economics and physical education teacher. In his final season at Marmion Academy, he guided the Cadets to a 17-10 overall record.
“It’s a tremendous honor to join the Manhattan College staff and return to the tri-state area where I have so many fond memories from my high school playing career,” said Burno. ”I am looking forward to working with Coach Masiello and to help rebuild Manhattan basketball.”
Wilson joins the Manhattan men’s basketball program after working as the assistant video coordinator at Louisville for the 2010-2011 season. He assisted with the Cardinals scouting of opponents and coordinated the film exchange for a team that finished with a 25-10 overall record, 12-6 mark in the Big East and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to join the Manhattan College community and continue to work with Coach Masiello. He is one of the hardest working, brilliant young minds in college basketball. I look forward to continue learning and developing professionally under his leadership,” said Wilson.
Wilson served as a student manager for Louisville from 2008-2010, while working toward his bachelor’s degree in sport administration. He transferred to Louisville from Southern New Hampshire University where he was a student-manager for the Penmen in 2007-2008. Wilson also worked as a counselor at the highly regarded Five-Star Basketball Camps for the past two years.
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