Saint Francis University Director of Athletics Jim Brazill has announced the elevation of Luke McConnell as the men’s basketball head coach. McConnell is coming off his first season as the associate head coach and helped the Red Flash to its first Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 34 years.
“I am excited and pleased to announce Luke McConnell as Saint Francis’ next men’s basketball head coach,” said Brazill. “I am confident Luke will continue develop our young men on and off the basketball court and he will be a great ambassador for Saint Francis University.
“His commitment and passion for the game, along with his love for the University, is a winning combination that will strengthen our basketball program and support our efforts to ensure student success in athletics and academics.”
McConnell becomes the 21st head coach in program history and the second with the last name McConnell after his father, Tom, served as head coach of the Red Flash from 1992-99 and ranks as the third-winningest head coach in team history with 85 wins.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be named the head coach at Saint Francis,” said McConnell. “I would not be here without Rob Krimmel and his belief in me. I am so grateful to have worked under one of the best coaches in the country. I want to thank President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R. Ph.D. D., Vice President for Student Development Dr. Frank Montecalvo, and Director of Athletics Jim Brazill for this tremendous opportunity. I look forward to leading our student-athletes and representing this university and our great community.”
McConnell also becomes the fourth Saint Francis graduate to serve as head coach at his alma mater, joining Dave Magarity (1978-83), Kevin Porter (1983-87), and Rob Krimmel (2013-25).
During McConnell’s tenure at Saint Francis, the Red Flash achieved significant milestones, including defeating CCSU 46-43 on March 11 in the NEC Championship Game for the team’s first title and NCAA Tournament berth since 1991. McConnell’s coaching prowess is evident in his work with five 1,000-point scorers, three NEC Players of the Year, three NEC Rookies of the Year, two Most Improved Players of the Year, one NEC Defensive Player of the Year, three NEC Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athletes of the Year, 16 All-NEC performers (10 first team; three-second team; three third team), eight All-Rookie selections and nine All-NEC Tournament nods.
McConnell’s journey in Loretto began as a four-year letterwinner on the Saint Francis football team. He led the team in interceptions in 2010 and earned the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Award for Central Pennsylvania in 2012.
His commitment to the University continued as he served as a two-year graduate assistant, starting as the athletic department graduate assistant in 2012. He then found a new home with the men’s basketball program in March 2013. After serving as the Director of Basketball Operations through the 2020-21 season, he was an assistant coach for three years before serving as the associate head coach for the 2024-25 campaign.
McConnell graduated from Saint Francis in 2012 with a degree in management and earned his MBA from the University in 2014.
