VCU aims to hire Phil Martelli Jr. as coach

VCU is looking to hire Phil Martelli Jr., the current head coach at Bryant University, as their next head coach. A deal is likely to be completed soon, according to sources. Martelli Jr. follows in the footsteps of his father, Phil Martelli, who is one of the most recognized figures in Atlantic 10 basketball history. His father ranks second for the most wins in the conference while at Saint Joseph's. Martelli Jr. recently led Bryant to the NCAA tournament, where they faced a loss against Michigan State. Before Bryant, Martelli Jr. had a successful coaching career, which included positions at Manhattan, Niagara, and Delaware. He also served as an assistant in the G League. He became head coach at Bryant in 2023 after Jared Grasso stepped down. VCU is making this move after Ryan Odom, the former coach, left for a role at Virginia. Odom had helped maintain VCU's strong reputation, where every coach since Jeff Capel in 2002 has reached the NCAA tournament. Athletic director Ed McLaughlin has been instrumental in these coaching changes, previously hiring successful coaches like Will Wade and Mike Rhoades.