EXPLORERS MAKE GIANNINI THEIR 'MAIN' MAN
Former University of Maine Coach John Giannini to Direct Men's Program

PHILADELPHIA, PA - La Salle University is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. John Giannini as the 18th head coach in the 74-year history of Explorer men's basketball.

Giannini comes to Philadelphia after an impressive eight-year run at the University of Maine where he built the Black Bears into a perennial force in the America East Conference. During his tenure, Giannini compiled the best record of any coach in UMaine history by going 125-111 with a pair of 20-win seasons, five trips to the America East semi-finals or better, and appearances in the AEC's championship game two of the last three seasons. The two 20-win campaigns are the only two on record in program history.

"We are very pleased that our search for a head coach yielded Dr. John Giannini," said La Salle Athletic Director Dr. Thomas Brennan. "He is not only a great basketball coach but he also has the background and the character that we want to see out of the coach that will head our program. One of the things that really impressed us was his record and ability to build and sustain a program. We were also very pleased with his ability to manage a wide array of issues related to the development of student-athletes."

Over the last six seasons he has accumulated more wins than any other coach in the conference with a record of 107-61. Giannini's Black Bear teams also notched major road wins at Providence, Marquette, Northwestern and St. Louis.

"John Giannini has earned respect as a coach and as a person wherever he has been," said La Salle President Brother Michael McGinniss. "We welcome John to the La Salle family with every confidence that he is a good fit for our University. He recognizes, and believes in, the prominent place that values and academics have at La Salle."

Giannini's knack for winning began much closer to the Philadelphia area, however, having spent seven seasons as head coach at Rowan University in nearby Glassboro, NJ. During his run as the Profs head coach, he amassed a 168-38 record and a Division III National Championship in 1996 with a team that went 28-4. His Rowan teams won 20 or more game in all but one of his seven seasons - the lone exception was a 17-11 run in his first season at the helm (1989-90).

Besides the national championship, his Rowan teams made two other appearances in the NCAA Division III Final Four.

Before becoming the head coach at Rowan, Giannini served on Lou Henson's staff at the University of Illinois from 1987-89. In his two seasons as a graduate assistant, the Illini made two trips to the NCAA Tournament including a Final Four appearance in 1989 with a team that went 31-5 in the regular season.

He also assisted at Parkland Community College (Champaigne, IL) and North Texas.

The Chicago, IL native (Fenwick High) earned his bachelor of arts degree in psychology from North Central College (Naperville, IL) in 1984 and his masters in physical education with a specialization in sports psychology from North Texas in 1986. "Dr. John" also earned a doctorate in kinesiology with a specialization in sports psychology from Illinois 1992.

Giannini's ties to the Philadelphia area are considerable, having recruited largely from the region both at Rowan and while building the program at Maine.
Coach Giannini's wife Donna gave birth to their oldest daughter Brianna (11) at Philadelphia's Methodist Hospital. The Giannini's also have a younger daughter Jamie (6).

#