Masi Named Men's Assistant Coach
Long time UCR Head Coach Comes to LBSU
May 31, 2006
LONG BEACH, CA--Long Beach State Head Men's Basketball Coach Larry Reynolds announced today that John Masi has been hired as an assistant coach for the 49ers. Masi, who spent 26 years as the head coach at UC Riverside, spent this past season as a volunteer coach at Cal State San Bernardino and as a consultant at Citrus College.
"I feel very fortunate to have him on staff," said Reynolds. "We go back a long way and have been together a long time. It will be a benefit to have him on the staff for me and a benefit for the players, with his knowledge and experience. Coach Masi is going to do a lot and be involved in many areas. He will be involved with recruiting as he has numerous ties and connections that we want to tap into. He will also be on the court coaching in practice and in games. He is a great X's and O's guy and will help out in that area as well."
Masi accumulated a career mark of 462-269 (.632) in his 26 years at the helm at UCR. He led the Highlanders to 20 or more victories 12 times and oversaw the transition of the school from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I status and its move into the Big West Conference. Masi led UCR to seven California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) regular season championships (1984, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995), three CCAA Tournament titles (1986, 1989, 1994) and 11 NCAA Division II Regional bids. The Highlanders advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight three times under Masi (1980, 1989, 1995), claiming second place in 1995, third place in 1989 and fifth place in 1980. His 1994-95 squad went 26-6 and lost to Southern Indiana in the NCAA title game. In 1988-89 the Highlanders recorded a school-record 30 victories, finishing the season at 30-4, losing in the national semifinals. That squad was ranked No. 1 in the nation the majority of the season and recorded one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history knocking off No. 4 ranked Iowa 110-92 in the championship game of the Chaminade Christmas Classic.
Masi and Reynolds coached together for 16 years at UC Riverside (1979-1995), serving as the Associate Head Coach the last 10 seasons. 49er Associate Head Coach played at UC Riverside under Masi and Reynolds (1986-90) and served as an assistant coach for the Highlanders for two years (2000-02).
Masi will begin his duties immediately. |
