Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MBB | Join Saint Mary’s in Ringing in the Mickey McConnell Era Tomorrow for his Introductory Press Conference
3/24/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. — Attention Gaels fans: the Mickey McConnell era has begun for Saint Mary's Men's Basketball. Come out and join us inside UCU Pavilion on Wednesday, March 25, as Coach McConnell is officially announced as the 27th head coach in the 119 year program history.
UCU Pavilion doors will open at 2:30 PM with the press conference beginning promptly at 3 PM. University President Dr. Roger Thompson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso, and Head Coach Mickey McConnell will all take to the podium for the event. One-on-one media availability is set to follow.
McConnell takes over as head coach of the Gaels after serving for the past seven seasons on the coaching staff. Ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, McConnell was promoted from assistant to associate head coach, a role that he has served in until being named head coach on March 23. In his time on staff (2019-26), the Gaels have amassed a record of 175-54 (.764), good for the ninth most wins and fifth best winning percentage in all of Division I men's college basketball in that span. Saint Mary's is also currently on a program record four straight WCC Regular Season Titles and five straight trips to the NCAA Tournament with McConnell on staff.
A standout point guard for the Gaels from 2007-11, McConnell helped the Gaels to the 2010 WCC tournament title (first since 1997), the 2011 WCC regular season title (first since 1997) and two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2008 and 2010) including their run to the Sweet 16 in 2010. He was the first Gael to record both 1200+ points and 400+ assists in a career (since has been joined by Matthew Dellavedova, Emmett Naar and Augustas Marciulionis). McConnell was twice named a first team member of the All-WCC team, being named Player of the Year in 2011. He was also twice named to the WCC All-Tournament team, being named Most Outstanding Player in 2010.
#GaelsRise
UCU Pavilion doors will open at 2:30 PM with the press conference beginning promptly at 3 PM. University President Dr. Roger Thompson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso, and Head Coach Mickey McConnell will all take to the podium for the event. One-on-one media availability is set to follow.
McConnell takes over as head coach of the Gaels after serving for the past seven seasons on the coaching staff. Ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, McConnell was promoted from assistant to associate head coach, a role that he has served in until being named head coach on March 23. In his time on staff (2019-26), the Gaels have amassed a record of 175-54 (.764), good for the ninth most wins and fifth best winning percentage in all of Division I men's college basketball in that span. Saint Mary's is also currently on a program record four straight WCC Regular Season Titles and five straight trips to the NCAA Tournament with McConnell on staff.
A standout point guard for the Gaels from 2007-11, McConnell helped the Gaels to the 2010 WCC tournament title (first since 1997), the 2011 WCC regular season title (first since 1997) and two trips to the NCAA Tournament (2008 and 2010) including their run to the Sweet 16 in 2010. He was the first Gael to record both 1200+ points and 400+ assists in a career (since has been joined by Matthew Dellavedova, Emmett Naar and Augustas Marciulionis). McConnell was twice named a first team member of the All-WCC team, being named Player of the Year in 2011. He was also twice named to the WCC All-Tournament team, being named Most Outstanding Player in 2010.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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