NEW: Jim Baron Gets Hired

NEW: Jim Baron Gets Hired

Jim Baron, recently fired as the head coach of the URI Men’s Basketball team has been named as the new head coach for the Canisius College Golden Griffins. Baron will become the 23rd head coach in Canisius College Men’s basketball history, when he will be formally introduced on Tuesday, April 3.

Baron, who signed a 5-year contract with Canisius College, replaces Tom Parrotta, the previous head coach of 6 seasons who was not retained at the end of this season.

Baron brings plenty of experience, coaching at the Division I level for the past 25 seasons. He is a four time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, and while at URI improved the Rams’ win total in six straight seasons from 2004-05 to 2009-10. Most fans will remember him as the man who helped guide the URI program to the 2010 NIT Final Four, which was the team’s first appearance in the NIT semifinal round since 1946. 

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Despite Baron’s recent shortcomings with the URI program, Canisius College president, Athletic Director, Bill Maher is excited about his most recent hire. “Jim comes to us as a highly respected coach, having led three different institutions to postseason success. Our goal is to win the MAAC Championship, and I look forward to working with Jim to accomplish this goal at Canisius College.” John J. Hurley, president of Canisius College followed up his colleage’s sentiment stating, "Jim Baron has demonstrated throughout his career that it is possible to match success on the court with success in the classroom. He has been a positive influence in the lives of hundreds of young men, and I’m tremendously excited about the prospect of working with Jim to restore Golden Griffin basketball to glory.”

Jim Baron leaves URI after 11 years and 184 total victories.