Ruland out at Iona after 2-28 season

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

NEW YORK -- Iona has agreed to buy out the final two years of men's basketball coach Jeff Ruland's contract.

Closer Look: Ruland at Iona

Former NBA All-Star Jeff Ruland's Iona Gaels were 2-28, including 1-17 in the MAAC, in the 2006-07 season, but his tenure at the school as a whole was successful. Some of the highlights:

• 139-135 record in nine seasons
• Three NCAA tourney berths (2000, '01, '06)
• Three MAAC titles

Ruland, a former NBA All-Star, led the Gaels to three MAAC titles and three NCAA Tournament berths in his nine-year tenure as head coach.

"Jeff Ruland has been a loyal Gael as a student, player, coach and, more importantly, as a person. He will always have a place in Iona's rich tradition and history," said Iona College president James A. Liguori. "After careful thought and consideration, Iona felt the need to take the men's basketball program in a different direction and Jeff felt it was time to move on to other opportunities."

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

He had a 139-135 record, leading the Gaels to the NCAA Tournament in 2000, 2001 and 2006. However, this season Iona was 2-28.

Ruland played in 332 games in the NBA from 1981 to 1987 with Washington and Philadelphia, averaging 17.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. He was selected to the All-Star team in 1984 and 1985.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe