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Coaches Profiles

Coach John Giannini

Coach John Giannini

La Salle University Explorers


On August 23, 2004 La Salle University introduced Dr. John Giannini as the 18th head coach in the 74-year history of Explorer men’s basketball.


In just his second season as La Salle University's head men's basketball coach, Dr. John Giannini led the Explorers to their most wins (18) in 14 years and a third place finish in the Atlantic 10 Conference - the school's highest status since it joined the league for the 1995-96 season. The 18-10 finish also set precedents for most Atlantic 10 wins in a season (10) most Atlantic 10 road wins in a single season (4) and delivered a winning season to the La Salle community for the first time since the 1992-93 season.


Along the way Giannini and the Explorers notched the school's first win all-time at Xavier's Cintas Center, witnessed a sell-out on their home court at Tom Gola Arena for the first time in four seasons and won the longest game in school history - a four-overtime, 107-106 win at Central Connecticut. They also snapped a four-year Big 5 losing streak, ended Massachusetts' 12-game home winning streak and beat University of Dayton for the first time in 11 games. For his efforts, Giannini was named to the Jim Phelan Award list for National Coach of the Year.


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 (13) at Philadelphia’s Methodist Hospital. The Giannini’s also have a younger daughter Jamie (8).

 

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