Baker Dunleavy was six years old watching his father, Mike Dunleavy Sr., running the practices of Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers in the early 1990’s. Now, Dunleavy will have the chance to develop new superstars at the helm of the Quinnipiac University Bobcats men’s basketball program.
Quinnipiac Athletic Director Greg Amodio introduced Baker Dunleavy to the Quinnipiac community Tuesday on Lender Court at the TD Bank Sports Center.
“It was very clear to me that there is a foundation in place at this school that shares a lot of what I believe,” Dunleavy said. “And a foundation that I believe that can lead to greatness and success.”
Dunleavy hails from a rich basketball history. His father has been coaching at the college and NBA level since 1988. His brother, Mike, won an NCAA championship with Duke in 2001 and is in his fifteenth season in the NBA. The newest member of the Bobcats, himself, played for Villanova from 2002 until 2006 and has been an assistant on Jay Wright’s coaching staff since 2012.
Dunleavy spoke about the kind of advice that his father and Wright have given him throughout the process.
“They just stressed going with your gut and finding the right fit. Then once you get started, you can’t do everything at once.”
The first order of business for the new skipper will be to keep freshmen guards Mikey Dixon and Peter Kiss from transferring.
“Obviously there’s a sense of urgency for everyone to stay,” Dunleavy said. “I hope over the next few days and weeks that they’ll feel comfortable enough in me that they want to stay and they want to be a part of this.”
After it was reported that he may be transferring, forward Chaise Daniels tweeted that he would not be on the move.
Gotta laugh at people who said I was transferring .
— YBTRECE (@Chaise_Malik) March 28, 2017
Daniels will get the chance to play for the former Villanova associate coach and three other new assistants. Dunleavy announced that Tom Pecora (Fordham University), Shaun Morris (Boston University) and Anthony Goins (Yale University) will be on his staff.
Baker Dunleavy announces his coaching staff: Tom Pecora, Shaun Morris and Anthony Goins. #MAACHoops #Quinnipiac pic.twitter.com/4za0sDD8OE
— Bryan Schwartz (@BryanSchwartz15) March 28, 2017
“I wanted guys that had worked in programs that I admire, and have been successful,” Dunleavy said. “So if you’re asking people to help you build a winning culture, you should bring in people that have experienced a winning culture.”
That winning culture is something that Dunleavy is looking forward to building in Hamden with this group of student-athletes.
“I’m dedicated to their development. I’m going to listen to them. I’m going to have their back. But at the same time, we’re going to push them as well, and push the boundaries and make them as good as they can be.”
