VCU hires Phil Martelli Jr. as new head coach

VCU filled its coaching vacancy with the hiring of Bryant coach Phil Martelli Jr. on Wednesday.

Martelli went 43-25 in two seasons at Bryant and guided the Bulldogs into the NCAA Tournament this season. Bryant, a No. 15 seed, lost 87-62 to No. 2 seed Michigan State in the first round.

Martelli replaces Ryan Odom, who departed to take the Virginia job after VCU's NCAA Tournament appearance. The 11th-seeded Rams (28-7) lost to sixth-seeded BYU 80-71 in the first round.

Martelli, 43, said he wants to build on the success.

"VCU has long been a dream job for me because of the high standards of excellence and national brand," Martelli said. "I am excited to help carry on the legacy that has been set here and help elevate it to the next level."

Martelli is the son of Phil Martelli, who made seven NCAA Tournament appearances in his 24-season stint at St. Joseph's.

VCU athletic director Ed McLaughlin said Martelli is a good fit for VCU.

"Phil has proven himself as a winner throughout his career," McLaughlin said. "He helped engineer a historic turnaround at Bryant seven years ago and led the program to unprecedented success the past two seasons as head coach. He has clearly lived his entire life amid college basketball legends but has made his own path and paid his dues through hard work, good character and a devotion to developing young men into the best versions of themselves through sport."

--Field Level Media