Patrick Sellers hired as men's basketball coach at Central Connecticut

May 11—By Journal Inquirer Staff

The Central Connecticut State University men's basketball team has tapped another Husky for its next hire, though its choice this time is also a former Blue Devil.

Fairfield University assistant Patrick Sellers, who worked on Jim Calhoun's staff at UConn from 2004-10, has been hired as the 11th head coach of the CCSU program, his alma mater.

"I am extremely grateful to President Toro and her leadership team, along with the search committee, for the opportunity to lead the Blue Devils. I have always had a special place in my heart for Central," Sellers said in a statement. "I look forward to adding to the successful legacy of Central Connecticut basketball and I am excited to get to work with our student-athletes."

Sellers returns to the program where he was a team captain as a player in 1991 and began his coaching career as an assistant under Howie Dickenman in 1999, helping the Blue Devils to NCAA tournament bids in 2000 and 2002.

Patrick's experience in coaching is what we were looking for," CCSU interim director of athletics Tom Pincince said in a statement. "His leadership qualities, vision and passion were evident throughout the interview process. He knows what it takes to be successful at CCSU and what the experience of being a Blue Devil does for our student-athletes."

Sellers previously coached at Fairleigh Dickinson, DePaul, Creighton, Hofstra and UMass prior to his four-year stint at Fairfield.

Sellers replaces UConn alum Donyell Marshall, who stepped down in March after leading the Blue Devils to a 40-104 record over five seasons. Central Connecticut, a member of the Northeast Conference, has made three NCAA tournament appearances at the Division I level, the last coming in 2007.