Hofstra Fires Hoops Coach

Mo Cassara is out as Hofstra University men’s basketball coach.

One of Long Island’s most high-profile coaching jobs, Cassara, 38, had been besieged by player injuries and a series of off-the-court issues that saw six athletes arrested in separate incidents this season. 

The University fired Cassara Friday at the end of a 7-25 season. He finished his three-year run with a 38-59 record. 

Assistant Patrick Sellers has been named interim head coach.

“Mo is a tireless worker and has tremendous passion for the game and the students that he coached,” Hofstra Athletic Director Jeffrey A. Hathaway said. “I personally want to thank him for his commitment to Hofstra Athletics and the University community during his tenure. We wish him the very best.”

It ends a stormy season highlighted by the November arrest of four Hofstra basketball players. Police charged Shaquille Stokes, Jimmy Hall, Kentrell Washington and Dallas Anglin with committing multiple burglaries on campus, allegedly using their status as athletes to steal expensive electronics from other students' dorms. 

Cassara was elevated to head coach after Tim Welsh resigned barely a month after taking the job when he was arrested for DWI on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown.

All Cassara did in his first season was lead the Pride to a 21-12 mark and postseason appearance in the CBI. But two straight losing seasons followed.

Rival Stony Brook University, meanwhile, made three trips to the NIT over the last four seasons.

Cassara was previously an assistant coach at Boston College for four seasons.

“I appreciate the experience and challenge that I was given almost three years ago by President Rabinowitz, and have loved my time working with our administrators, student-athletes and staff,” Cassara said in a statement. “I would also like to thank the Hofstra fans and students for all of their love, support and dedication to what is a great and storied program.”