Niagara names Casey new men's hoops coach

Apr 22, 2013 - 6:39 PM Niagara Falls, NY (Sports Network) - Niagara has named Chris Casey its new men's basketball coach.

Casey spent the past three seasons at LIU Post and guided the Division II program to a record of 62-25. He was an assistant at St. John's for four seasons before taking over at LIU Post.

"To be chosen for this position with the great history of this basketball program is a great honor," said Casey at a Monday news conference. "I'm really enthusiastic about this and can't wait to get on the court and start coaching."

The Purple Eagles needed a replacement for Joe Mihalich, who left earlier this month to take the vacancy at Hofstra. Mihalich spent 15 seasons at Niagara and compiled a record of 265-203 with a pair of NCAA Tournament berths.

"(Mihalich) started something here and we're going to try to maintain that," said Casey.

Casey was also a head coach at Rutgers-Newark for three seasons from 1998-2001 and has a career mark of 89-71 in six seasons. He has also had assistant coaching stints at Central Connecticut State, St. Peter's College, St. Francis-NY and Western Connecticut State.