NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Iona College men's basketball head coach Tim Cluess announced the promotion of Jared Grasso to associate head coach. Both Cluess and Grasso enter their second season in New Rochelle.

"It's a pleasure to promote Jared to this position," said Cluess. "His tireless work since the day I was hired has been instrumental in the success and the direction of our program here at Iona."

Grasso served as the Gaels' top assistant coach during the 2010-11 campaign and helped mentor the team to a 25-12 record while earning berths in both the MAAC and CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament Championship games. He has also been instrumental in landing some of Iona's top newcomers over the past two seasons including sophomore Sean Armand and senior Mike Glover last summer. In their first seasons at Iona, Armand set a rookie record for three-point field goals, while Glover became the first performer in over 30-years to average a double-double.

Prior to Iona, Grasso spent four seasons at Fordham University, the final of which he served as interim head coach of the rams. Grasso was responsible for the recruitment of several Atlantic 10 standouts including 2010 A-10 Rookie of the Year Chris Gaston and 2009 All-Rookie Team honoree Jio Fontan. He also helped coach All-Atlantic 10 performers Bryant Dunston and Marcus Stout.

He also served as an assistant coach at Quinnipiac and Hartford after a standout four-year varsity career with the Bobcats.

Also returning for their second seasons under Cluess are assistant coaches Mark Calzonetti and Garee Bryant along with director of basketball operations Bob Paul.

"I couldn't ask for a better staff to work with," added Cluess. "Their work ethic is contagious and I'm proud to work alongside all four of them."

The Gaels began official practice last Friday (Oct. 14) in preparation for their season opener at the 5-hour ENERGY Puerto Rico Tipoff in San Juan. Iona takes on the Big Ten's Purdue on Nov. 17.

Senior Wooden Award nominee Mike Glover joins classmate and fellow All-MAAC First Team performer Scott Machado as the key returners for the Gaels in 2011-12. Junior Kyle Smyth, senior Jermel Jenkins and sophomore Sean Armand add a lethal 1-2-3 punch from the outside as they combined for 210 three-pointers between them last season. Seniors Randy Dezouvre and Trinity Fields add to the veteran squad as it prepares for the upcoming campaign.

Iona still awaits word on its hardship waiver for junior Lamont Jones. The University of Arizona transfer enrolled at Iona for the fall semester and is practicing with the squad. Juniors Ra'Shad James, Nyandigisi Moikubo and Taaj Ridley join Jones and freshman Josh Gomez as new faces to the Gael roster this season.