A new era is beginning at Saint Mary’s, following the departure of long-time head coach Randy Bennett. Former Gael Mickey McConnell has been named the new head coach at SMC after spending the last seven years on staff, most recently as associate head coach.
“We have known for several years now that Mickey would be the perfect fit to lead our men’s basketball program and continue the success this program has achieved, while beginning a new and exciting era,” AD Mike Matoso said. “We couldn’t be more thankful and grateful for everything Coach Bennett has done for Saint Mary’s. We have been in coordination with Randy for years on how to continue this success if he were to leave. We have and will continue to fund and support this program at a very high level and provide all the resources for Mickey to succeed in this role.”
McConnell played at SMC from 2007-11, during which time he was part of two WCC titles and two NCAA Tournaments (including a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 2010). He was named WCC Player of the Year as a senior in 2011. After playing professionally overseas for several year, he returned to Moraga in 2019 to be an assistant under Bennett. He was elevated to associate head coach in 2022 and has remained in that position for the last four years – an especially successful run for the program. The Gaels have won or shared the last four WCC titles and have been to five-straight NCAA Tournaments.
“This is a special place to me and my family and I’m honored to have the support and trust from President Roger Thompson and Athletic Director Mike Matoso to lead the Saint Mary’s basketball program,” McConnell said. “None of us would be in this position without Coach Bennett and all he has done over the years. He took the program from 2-27 to 5 straight NCAA tournaments and 4 straight league titles. Everything he has done has been to put the program first and get it onto the National stage. I can’t thank him enough for being such a strong leader and mentor to me.”
Bennett built the Saint Mary’s program into one of the best mid-majors in the country, and the only WCC program that was able to consistently compete with and beat Gonzaga. With the Zags moving to the new iteration of the Pac-12 this summer, the door is wide open for Saint Mary’s to take its success to the next level.
This will be the first head coaching job for McConnell, who – like Bennett – is originally from Mesa, Arizona. He played professional basketball in Italy, Germany, France and Spain, and also spent one season with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League.
credit to Saint Mary’s Athletics for the image