A few weeks ago, Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello looked set to take the head coaching vacancy at South Florida, but after a background check showed that Masiello never earned his degree from Kentucky, he lost out on the job.
One of the major questions about the situation was whether or not Masiello would retain his position at Manhattan. Earlier today, the school announced that Masiello—who has been placed on unpaid leave since the incident—will be reinstated as its head basketball coach after he obtains his undergraduate degree from Kentucky.
Via ESPN:
“I am extremely grateful and humbled by the opportunity to continue as the head men’s basketball coach at Manhattan College,” Masiello said in the statement. “I made a mistake that could have cost me my job at an institution I love. Details matter. Manhattan College has shown me a great deal of compassion and trust during this process, and I will do everything in my power to uphold that trust. I understand that I am very fortunate to have the chance to remain here at Manhattan.”
According to multiple sources, Masiello is approximately 10 credits shy — and will take classes to finish his degree in the next couple months.
Prior to the confusion surrounding his degree, Masiello was one of the hottest coaching commodities in college basketball. In three years as the Jaspers’ head coach, Masiello accrued a 60-39 record, and led the team to a conference championship and the second round of the NCAA Tournament this year.
