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AUDIO/VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS Greg Herenda, the seventh coach in UMass Lowell history, enters his second season with the River Hawks, bringing over 20 years experience at all NCAA levels to the program. For his efforts turning around the UMass Lowell program in 2008-09, Herenda was named Northeast-10 Coach of the Year and National Association of Basketball Coaches East Region Coach of the Year. Herenda wasted no time since landing in Lowell on May 16, 2008. He led UMass Lowell to a spectacular 21-8 (16-6 NE-10/second) campaign in 2008-09. Under his guidance, the River Hawks experienced a complete program turnaround and earned a No. 2 seed in the NE-10 Conference Tournament and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament after a two-year absence. He coached players Kyle Caiola and Max Kerman to post-season honors, also, as they earned NE-10 Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively. Off the court, Herenda has encouraged and facilitated his team's participation in the community through involvement with the Lowell Boys and Girls Club, Saints Medical Center Fall Festival for Life Cancer Walk, the Lowell YMCA and the Lowell Transitional Living Center. Herenda's coaching career has brought him to the Big East, Ivy League, Patriot League and Conference USA through the years, and his teams have gone on to the NCAA Tournament and NIT Tournament, as well as won conference titles. In his last three head coaching jobs, Herenda has improved his teams' win total by an average of 9.33 wins in his first year with each of the programs. While at Division III Cabrini College, Herenda guided the Cavaliers and previously, Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL, to remarkable turnaround seasons. In 2007-08, Cabrini posted a 12-14 mark (9-7 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference/fifth), up from a 5-20 overall clip (4-14/ninth) in 2006-07. Similarly, Elgin C.C. boasted an 18-11 record in 2006-07 once Herenda stepped in, improving on their previous season's record of 6-18. Previously, Herenda spent five years as the associate head coach at East Carolina University (2000-05) under Head Coach Bill Herrion, currently the head coach at New Hampshire. He also served as an assistant at Yale (1997-99), Seton Hall (1994-97) and Holy Cross (1989-94), following a four-year spell at his alma mater Merrimack (1985-89). During his two years with the (then) Chiefs, Herenda played a large role in recruiting the ULowell team that won the 1988 NCAA Division II Championship, including All-American guard Bobby Licare and All-New England standout Gavin Cummings. Herenda's younger brother, Billy, played for the Chiefs from 1984-88. Among the many highlights in his coaching career, Herenda helped lead Holy Cross to great success from 1989-94. The 1992-93 Crusader squad posted a record of 23-7 (12-2 conference) and captured the Patriot League Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where it suffered a 94-64 loss to Arkansas. Additionally, Holy Cross's 1989-90 team captured the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) North regular season championship and went on to earn an NIT bid where it lost at Rutgers (87-78). Herenda's three-year stay at Seton Hall was highlighted by a 16-14 finish and an NIT appearance in 1994-95. Among his recruits were Shaheen Holloway, former McDonald's All-America Game Most Valuable Player and a three-time Big East Conference all star; as well as Rimantas Kaukenas, both who led SHU to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2000. During his four-year stay as a coach at Merrimack, Herenda helped guide the Warriors (22-10, 13-5 NE-10) to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division II Championship in 1989. The 1985-86 Warriors compiled a 19-9 clip (9-5 NE-8) and advanced to the NE-8 Tournament final. Herenda served as a lead analyst and color commentator for YES Network's Ivy League basketball telecasts. The 2005-06 ECC team went 18-11 overall, won the Skyway Conference championship and reached the Region IV District B Junior College Championship game for the first time in school history. A four-year player at Merrimack College, Herenda led the Warriors to a 17-10 finish (13-5 NE-8) in 1981-82 and a 14-13 clip (8-11 NE-8) in 1982-83. He still holds the school record for assists in a game (22) and shares the record for the single season average (9.0). He graduated in 1983 with degree in business administration and marketing. A graduate of St. Peter's Prep High School, Herenda played for legendary coach Jerome Halligan. Herenda and his wife, Jillene, have one son, Trey (7). He is a native of North Bergen, NJ. |
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