In the MIAC conference there are two schools that you need to start paying attention to as an opponent or a basketball fan if you haven’t before.  Both St. Mary’s University and Macalester College have had tough seasons on the hardwood in the not so distant past but in the last 5 seasons have taken some steps to no longer be a pushover in their conference.  I am joined by the head coaches of each program – Joe Fano and Abe Woldeslassie to talk about their journeys.  Both coaches are entering their 6th season leading their schools.

At St. Mary’s – the season prior to Coach Fano arriving they finished 1 – 24 and in a short time Joe has the Cardinals headed in the right direction as they have had 3 appearances in the MIAC post-season tournament in his 5 years and also led the school to their first MIAC playoff win in school history!

At Macalester – the Scots had won just 35 games in the 10 seasons prior to Coach Woldeslassie taking over and he also has had a positive influence on his program leading the Scots to the MIAC playoffs in back to back seasons, including the championship game in 2021-22 doing so as #6 seed which had never before happened in MIAC history.

For both of them this is their first head coaching job at any level and we discuss what prepared them for their jobs, some of their most memorable moments at their schools so far and the keys to sustaining momentum.