Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
MBB | One Month In: A Q+A with Head Coach Mickey McConnell
5/6/2026 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Q: Let's begin with the early days, take me back to your first visit to Moraga as a student-athlete. What stood out to you about Saint Mary's?
A: You know, the main thing was the basketball program. They hadn't really hit it yet, they had only been to one NCAA tournament, but they were going in the right direction. I also had familiarity with Coach Bennett, and then obviously, the campus. It was a lot different than Arizona, so it looked like a great place, had a great feel, was comfortable, relaxed, and beautiful, so I think all of those things factored into my decision. Then, on my visit, the guys that hosted me, like Todd Golden and others, made it feel even more like home.
Q: As a student-athlete what were some of your favorite memories as a Gael, both on and off the court?
A: On the court, obviously going to the NCAA tournament, winning the WCC championship, and going to the Sweet 16, were the main highlights. The day-to-day life with your teammates is what I remember the most, like hanging out in Ageno C my freshman year, and there were a lot of great memories that I had off the court with my teammates.
Q: Following your time on the court in Moraga, you had an eight year professional career overseas and in the G-League, once you wrapped that up, what was it that brought you back to Moraga to begin your coaching career?
A: I was actually going to sign for three more years in France, but an assistant spot opened up. At the time, they only had three assistants and there were ops spots, so I didn't want to stop playing for the ops role and it just happened that one assistant role opened up and Coach Bennett told me that if I wanted it, it was mine. The opportunity somewhat forced my hand because it was either that or go play a few more years and try to get back into coaching at a later time. However, it felt like the right time with my family to take the coaching position. Our daughter was just born in France and my son just turned three at the time, so it worked out timing wise.
Q: You've been at the helm of the men's basketball program here for a little over a month, you're maneuvering through your first transfer portal recruiting class and Spring practices, how has the first month been so far?
A: It's been great. Obviously, getting the staff put together really helps. They take a huge load off of my plate, and they've been very beneficial in finding recruits and taking over some of the responsibilities. There's a lot of work to be done between putting the staff together and the team, too. You're also trying to work out the team you already have here, which is the best part about it. It's been hectic, but it's been an awesome first month.
Q: What's one message you have for Gael fans on what to expect in the year to come?
A: I know what the standard is here and what this program has done. Our goal as a staff and a program is to keep that going. We want to keep a lot of the identity of what makes Saint Mary's great, like the toughness and grit, but also put my own spin on it. We're very aware of where this program has been and we want to keep going to push it even higher.
A: You know, the main thing was the basketball program. They hadn't really hit it yet, they had only been to one NCAA tournament, but they were going in the right direction. I also had familiarity with Coach Bennett, and then obviously, the campus. It was a lot different than Arizona, so it looked like a great place, had a great feel, was comfortable, relaxed, and beautiful, so I think all of those things factored into my decision. Then, on my visit, the guys that hosted me, like Todd Golden and others, made it feel even more like home.
Q: As a student-athlete what were some of your favorite memories as a Gael, both on and off the court?
A: On the court, obviously going to the NCAA tournament, winning the WCC championship, and going to the Sweet 16, were the main highlights. The day-to-day life with your teammates is what I remember the most, like hanging out in Ageno C my freshman year, and there were a lot of great memories that I had off the court with my teammates.
Q: Following your time on the court in Moraga, you had an eight year professional career overseas and in the G-League, once you wrapped that up, what was it that brought you back to Moraga to begin your coaching career?
A: I was actually going to sign for three more years in France, but an assistant spot opened up. At the time, they only had three assistants and there were ops spots, so I didn't want to stop playing for the ops role and it just happened that one assistant role opened up and Coach Bennett told me that if I wanted it, it was mine. The opportunity somewhat forced my hand because it was either that or go play a few more years and try to get back into coaching at a later time. However, it felt like the right time with my family to take the coaching position. Our daughter was just born in France and my son just turned three at the time, so it worked out timing wise.
Q: You've been at the helm of the men's basketball program here for a little over a month, you're maneuvering through your first transfer portal recruiting class and Spring practices, how has the first month been so far?
A: It's been great. Obviously, getting the staff put together really helps. They take a huge load off of my plate, and they've been very beneficial in finding recruits and taking over some of the responsibilities. There's a lot of work to be done between putting the staff together and the team, too. You're also trying to work out the team you already have here, which is the best part about it. It's been hectic, but it's been an awesome first month.
Q: What's one message you have for Gael fans on what to expect in the year to come?
A: I know what the standard is here and what this program has done. Our goal as a staff and a program is to keep that going. We want to keep a lot of the identity of what makes Saint Mary's great, like the toughness and grit, but also put my own spin on it. We're very aware of where this program has been and we want to keep going to push it even higher.
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MBB | Mickey McConnell Introductory Press Conference, 3-25-26
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MBB | Liam Campbell, Joshua Dent and Randy Bennett Postgame Interview vs Texas A&M, 3-19-26, presented by University Credit Union
Thursday, March 19
MBB | Harry Wessels, Joshua Dent and Rory Hawke Featured on ESPN Australia
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