Rob Schoener, a former St. John Fisher College standout and very successful head coach at SUNY Delhi the last seven seasons, is the new head basketball coach at SUNY Poly.

Schoener will succeed athletic director Kevin Grimmer, who stepped down after 18 seasons to concentrate on his administrative duties.

“I am extremely proud of the basketball program we’ve built here,” Grimmer said in a statement. “My challenge of maintaining both coaching and administrative responsibilities has been very enjoyable and productive, but it’s time to add a coach with a full emphasis on the team and our student athletes.”

Grimmer, who has coached at SUNY Poly in various capacities since 1984, led the Wildcats to nearly 300 victories in his career. His 2009-10 team won a second consecutive North Eastern Athletic Conference championship and second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, advanced to the Sweet 16, and finished the season with a program-best 26-5 record. He earned several coach of the year awards.

Schoener put together a 155-70 career record at Delhi, including 114-20 over the last four seasons. The Broncos won National Junior College Athletic Association Region III championships in 2011 and 2012 and placed third in the national tourney in 2012. He was named the Region III Coach of the Year in each of the last four seasons.

“It is a great honor to be chosen as the head men’s basketball coach at SUNY Poly,” Schoener said in a statement. “I would like to thank Kevin Grimmer and the search committee for this tremendous opportunity. I am eager to get to work with out student athletes toward achieving our goals in the classroom and on the court.”

Schoener was a team captain at Fisher and the Cardinals had an 81-23 record during his career.

“Rob is a proven winner – he builds winning teams and molds successful student-athletes,” Grimmer said. “Our Wildcat basketball program is in excellent hands.”

Posted Sep. 17, 2014 @ 10:28 pm