VCU hires Bryant's Phil Martelli Jr. as men's basketball coach

VCU has hired Bryant coach Phil Martelli Jr. to be the school's next coach, it was announced Wednesday.

The hire connects one the most famous names in Atlantic 10 history with the next generation, as Martelli's father, Phil, has the second-most wins in the Atlantic 10 from his time at Saint Joseph's. (Only Temple's John Chaney has more).

"He has clearly lived his entire life amid college basketball legends but has made his own path and paid his dues through hard work, good character and a devotion to developing young men into the best versions of themselves through sport," athletic director Ed McLaughlin said in a statement.

Martelli led Bryant to the NCAA tournament this year and is 43-25 in two seasons as a head coach. Bryant earned a No. 15 seed in the tournament and lost to No. 2 seed Michigan State 87-62.

Martelli replaces Ryan Odom, who left to become the coach at Virginia after leading VCU to the NCAA tournament this year.

Odom continued a string of impressive hires at VCU, which is regarded as one of the elite -- and best-funded -- mid-major jobs in the country. Every VCU coach who has held the job since Jeff Capel took over in 2002 has reached the NCAA tournament.

"I am excited to help carry on the legacy that has been set here and help elevate it to the next level," Martelli said.

This will be the fourth hire for athletic director Ed McLaughlin, who previously brought Will Wade, Mike Rhoades and Odom to VCU. Wade followed Shaka Smart, who led VCU to the 2011 Final Four.

Martelli worked his way up in coaching by working at Manhattan, Niagara and Delaware. He also worked two seasons as a G League assistant before coming to Bryant as an assistant coach in 2018.

He took over as head coach in 2023 in the wake of the sudden resignation of Jared Grasso that fall. Bryant finished 20-13 and third in the America East in his first season and then finished first in the league this season with a 14-2 conference record and a 23-12 overall record.