A New Head Coach is Knighted

New head men’s basketball coach Jack Castleberry takes the podium at his press conference announcement on March 23, 2023. Photo: Larry Levanti

Jack Castleberry is now the ninth head coach of the Knights men’s basketball team in program history. Castleberry, an assistant coach at the time, was instrumental in guiding the Knights to a 21-win season and the 2023 appearance in the NCAA Tournament round of 32. He played a significant role in recruiting efforts, scheduling, scouting reports, game strategy and day-to-day operations.

“We are going to continue to do what made us successful,” says Castleberry. “We are going to build upon what we just accomplished. There is still stuff to do and progress to be made. I am looking forward to pushing the boundaries to see how high we can go.”

With Castletberry’s impressive résumé and basketball IQ, Division I Athletics Director Brad Hurlbut knew he did not need to look beyond the banks of the Hackensack River for a replacement for departing coach Tobin Anderson.

“Simply put, Jack is the perfect fit to continue the incredible journey that started with Tobin, and he [Jack] matches our department’s five values — integrity, pride, resilience, respect and unity,” says Hurlbut.

Castleberry came to FDU after coaching at the University of Tennessee at Martin, his alma mater Virginia Military Institute, Siena College, The Citadel and Queens University.

“We are so excited to start this next chapter of FDU Knights men’s basketball with Jack as head coach,” says University President Michael Avaltroni. “He was a core and integral member of this year’s amazing and historic run, and we have every confidence that he will take this amazing momentum and continue to help us to tell the story of FDU through the success of our basketball program, on and off the court!”