Watch the Press Conference and Q&A | What They're Saying about Mike Magpayo
 
Bronx, N.Y. – The Fordham men's basketball program commenced a new chapter today as new head men's basketball coach Mike Magpayo was introduced to the Fordham community at a press conference in the Rose Hill Gym.
 
Magpayo entered the historic arena through a tunnel of cheerleaders before taking the stage, along with Fordham President Tania Tetlow and Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie.
 
"Mike is an innovative thinker, someone who sees the game not only as it is, but as it could be," said President Tetlow. "He's part of a coaching lineage that constantly is reimagining the sport for today's ever-changing landscape."
 
"Mike is deeply respected by his players, his colleagues, and across the coaching world," continued Tetlow. "The enthusiasm and admiration we've heard from his peers has been nothing short of extraordinary."
 
Guthrie then took the podium to introduce Magpayo. "I'm incredibly excited to be here today to welcome our new head men's basketball coach, Mike Magpayo. We are thrilled to have him join the Ramily."
 
"Mike is one of the most well-respected minds in the game today. He has been praised for his character and that stands out above all. That's the leader we're fortunate enough to have here at Fordham."
 
Guthrie welcomed Magpayo to the podium and the new Fordham head men's basketball coach started by proclaiming his love of New York City and his family's roots.
 
"I'm extremely proud to have the opportunity because it aligns with our Catholic Jesuits roots and it feels like home," said Magpayo. "Community is everything. In fact when my wife and I were talking about what makes this position so attractive for us it was that we would have a built-in community with two of my best friends in coaching and their families, my former staff mates, Dan Geriot and Kevin Hovde, who are the head coaches at Iona and Columbia, respectively."
 
"How do we get Rose Hill rocking?," asked Magpayo. "First and foremost we need to get guys who are all in on New York City. We will only recruit guys with great attitudes, great work ethics, and guys who really, really want to be here and wear Fordham University across their chests."
 
"This program will be about human development. We aren't just developing great basketball players, we're into character and culture. We want fountains, not drains."
 
Over the past five years at UC Riverside, Magpayo set a new standard for Highlander Men's Basketball, compiling an 89-63 (.586) record with a 55-32 (.632) mark in conference play. He led his teams to two 20-win seasons, including a 21-13 slate this year that featured a 14-6 effort in the Big West. UC Riverside finished in a tie for third in the league standings and received a bid to the NIT for the first time in school history.
 
Magpayo was named the first Big West Coach of the Year in UC Riverside history in 2022-23 after leading UCR to a program-record 22 wins - including 10 in Big West play. For his efforts, Magpayo was named a finalist for the 2023 Hugh Durham Award, presented by CollegeInsider to the top mid-major head coach in Division I men's college basketball.
 
Check out the full video and Q&A with Andrew Bogusch.