Brett MacConnell Named Head Coach of Men’s Basketball
3/30/2026 6:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Athletics
HANOVER, N.H. – Mike Harrity, Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, announced today that Brett MacConnell has been named the new Head Coach of Dartmouth Men's Basketball.
MacConnell arrives in Hanover with 14 years of experience in Division I basketball, a deep familiarity with the Ivy League, and a championship pedigree.
"Brett's deep knowledge of the Ivy League and his ability to identify and develop student-athletes set him apart during our national search," said Harrity. "The way he connects with people, from the recruits to the team and beyond, is exceptional, and his drive, vision, and plan for our program is exactly what Dartmouth Men's Basketball needs. We are excited to welcome Brett, Sarah, Cooper and Paxton to Hanover, and I can't wait for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to grow under him and his staff."
"First and foremost, I want to thank Mike Harrity for this opportunity," MacConnell said. "Dartmouth is one of the premier institutions in the country, and it's an honor to join the Dartmouth community. Our goal is to build a men's basketball program that reflects the values of the institution—one that competes at a high level and represents Dartmouth with pride, integrity, and consistency. I'm confident that my experience in the Ivy League will help our staff and student-athletes grow and succeed both on and off the court."
MacConnell joined the Stanford men's basketball staff as an assistant coach in the summer of 2025, following 13 seasons at Princeton. During his time with the Tigers, where he served his final seven years as associate head coach, Princeton posted a 231–121 record, securing four Ivy League championships and repeatedly earning national recognition for their disciplined, high‑IQ style of play.
In his last four seasons at Princeton, he helped bring home three of those Ivy League titles, including their historic 2023 season, in which the team made a storied run to the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16.
During his time at Stanford and Princeton, he demonstrated an ability to build winning programs grounded in the type of relationship-building that fuels impactful recruiting and player development.
A cornerstone of MacConnell's coaching philosophy is identifying under‑recruited or overlooked prospects and helping develop them into elite contributors. Throughout his career, he has coached four Ivy League Players of the Year, 29 All‑Ivy League honorees, and 19 players who advanced to professional basketball careers both in the NBA and overseas.
MacConnell's coaching journey also includes stops at Saint Peter's, Holy Family, and Delaware Valley University. He graduated from Rutgers University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and sport studies.
