Brown tabs Agel as hoops coach

Posted: Mon Jun 9 2:28 PM

Providence, RI (Sports Network) - Brown University has named Jesse Agel its new men's basketball coach.

Agel replaces Craig Robinson, who left after two seasons at Brown to take over at Oregon State.

"I am absolutely delighted to have Jesse Agel as our head coach," athletic director Michael Goldberger said. "Jesse brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and years of experience to the position. He has demonstrated that he knows what it takes to be successful at this level. Jesse views coaching to be about teaching, and that's something that Brown is all about and what I look for in all of our head coaches."

The 46-year-old Agel was Robinson's assistant for the past two seasons. Prior to arriving in Rhode Island, Agel was an assistant at Vermont for 17 years and was influential in the Catamounts' success.

Vermont won three consecutive America East titles from 2003-05, and recorded one of the most stunning upsets in NCAA Tournament history with a first-round victory over heavily favored Syracuse in 2005.

Robinson, the brother-in-law of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, and Agel piloted Brown to a second-place finish in the Ivy League last season behind Cornell, a school-record 19 wins and a bid to the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

"I embrace the opportunity to continue to work with a group of extraordinary young men at such a prestigious university as Brown," said Agel. "Our goal will remain the same, which is the relentless pursuit of the Ivy League Championship.

"It's been an honor to work in an outstanding athletic department that has so many exceptional people and educators. I want to thank former coach Craig Robinson for all he has done for me personally and for leaving me a team that expects to win every time it steps onto the court."