Nichols Family Director of Athletics Bob Scalise formally introduced Tommy Amaker as the head coach of men’s basketball at Harvard April 13, 2007. He begins his fourth season at the helm in 2010-11.
Amaker, who brings a 220-182 career head coaching record into his fourth season at Harvard, posted a 109-83 ledger at Michigan and a 68-55 record at Seton Hall.
Amaker, who won two NCAA championships and advanced to five Final Fours as an assistant at Duke before embarking on a successful head coaching career at Seton Hall and Michigan, has been quick to adapt to his new surroundings as a member of the nation’s most prestigious university.
“I’ve been fortunate to have been associated with some tremendous institutions, but none are greater than Harvard,” said Amaker the day he was formally introduced as Harvard’s new head coach. “I’m incredibly proud of this opportunity to represent the school, and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and to creating some special moments for Harvard basketball.”
“We’re delighted Tommy Amaker is joining us at Harvard,” said Scalise. “He has been a well-respected head coach at the highest level of college basketball, and his experience as a player and assistant at Duke, where athletic and academic success is paramount, makes him a terrific fit. We look forward to the continued support of the Harvard and local communities as we pursue our first Ivy League championship in men’s basketball.”
That support, along with Amaker’s already notable reputation as a people’s person, helped the Crimson land some of the country’s top student-athletes in his first few years on the recruiting trails.
During the 2009-10 campaign, Amaker guided the Crimson to one of the finest years in program history, as Harvard posted a 21-8 record, reaching a new high in victories in a season. In addition, the Crimson went 10-4 in Ancient Eight contests and earned a non-conference victory at Boston College for the second straight season. Following the regular season, the Crimson garnered a spot at the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, marking the first postseason appearance for Harvard since the 1945-46 season when the team advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Amaker’s 2008-09 recruiting class was quickly tabbed as one of the nation’s 25 best by ESPN – an accolade never before bestowed upon an Ivy League institution. Amaker’s seven-person recruiting class features numerous premier high school names from seven different states.