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John Becker (basketball)

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John Becker
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamVermont
ConferenceAmerica East
Record308–120 (.720)
Biographical details
Born (1968-04-16) April 16, 1968 (age 56)
Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Alma materCatholic University ('90)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1994–1997Gallaudet (assistant)
1997–1999Gallaudet
2004–2006Catholic (assistant)
2006–2011Vermont (assistant)
2011–presentVermont
Head coaching record
Overall314–164 (.657)
Tournaments1–5 (NCAA Division I)
0–2 (NIT)
4–3 (CBI)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
6 America East tournament (2012, 2017, 2019, 2022–2024)
9 America East regular season (2014, 2017–2024)
Awards
7× America East Coach of the Year (2014, 2017–2020, 2022, 2024)

John Becker (born April 17, 1968) is an American college basketball coach, currently the head coach of the Vermont Catamounts of the America East Conference.[1] He replaced Mike Lonergan, who left to become the coach at George Washington University.

On January 5, 2023, Becker became the winningest coach in Vermont history, with a 74–64 win over Bryant, surpassing Tom Brennan.

Coaching career

Gallaudet/Catholic University

Becker's college coaching career began in 1994 when he became an assistant at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. In 1997, Becker was elevated to head coach of the Bison, where he served from 1997 to 1999. Becker also served as the men's tennis coach, despite never playing the game, and also worked in the information technology field, as the coaching positions were part-time. He briefly left coaching to pursue a master's degree in information systems at George Washington University, however in 2004 Becker returned to coaching at his alma mater Catholic as an assistant coach under Steve Howes. While at Catholic, he helped guide the team to a 41–17 record, which included a 21–7 mark and NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in 2005–06. His first year with Catholic saw the Cardinals go 20–10 and advance to the Capital Athletic Conference Championship game.[2]

Vermont

In 2006–07, Becker joined the Vermont staff as director of basketball operations, serving in the role for two seasons before being promoted to assistant coach. As an assistant, UVM earned three postseason berths, including the 2010 NCAA Tournament.[3] On May 10, 2011, Becker was named interim head coach of the Catamounts while search was conducted.[4] On May 20, 2011, Vermont lifted the interim tag and named Becker the 16th coach in Vermont basketball history.[5]

2011–12

In his first year in charge of the Catamounts, Becker led Vermont to a second-place finish in the America East Conference with a 24–12 overall record and 13–3 mark in conference, winning the America East Championship for Vermont's fifth NCAA Tournament bid in nine years, defeating Stony Brook 51–43. Becker became just the second first-year head coach since Northeastern's Karl Fogel to win the conference tournament. He also set a Vermont record for most wins by a first-year head coach, breaking a 90-year-old record set by Tom Keady in the 1921–22 season with a 73–63 win on the road over Maine. In its NCAA first round match up the Catamounts picked up their second-ever NCAA Tournament win, defeating Lamar 71–59 before falling to top-seeded North Carolina 77–58 in the second round.

2012–13

The 2012–13 season saw Vermont post another 20-win season, coupled with an appearance in the America East Championship game. Becker became just the second coach in league history to post back-to-back 20-win seasons in his first two seasons, along with two-straight appearances in the title game, joining Pat Chambers. The Catamounts were defeated at home by Albany 53–49, and elected to participate in the 2013 College Basketball Invitational, where it fell to Santa Clara 77–66 in the first round.

2013–14

In his third season with the Catamounts, Becker guided Vermont to a 15–1 mark and an America East regular season championship. The 20-win season made Becker the first coach in America East history to post three-straight 20-win seasons in his first three seasons, and it was the 11th time in the last 13 seasons UVM eclipsed the 20-win mark. Despite this, Vermont was defeated by fourth-seeded Albany, 67–58, in the America East Championship semifinals. By virtue of winning the regular season, the Catamounts earned an automatic berth in the 2014 NIT.

2014–15

With nine freshman and sophomores on the roster, Vermont earned its seventh-straight 20 win season, and the 12th out of the last 14 years. Becker became the only coach in Vermont and America East history to win 20 games each of his first four years. Finishing second in the America East regular season, the Catamounts fell at home in the semifinals of the America East playoffs, and accepted a bid to the 2015 College Basketball Invitational. It was UVM's seventh-straight postseason appearance, and with wins over Hofstra in the opening round and Radford in the quarterfinals, the Catamounts earned their second and third CBI wins before falling to Louisiana-Monroe in the semifinals.

2015–16

After a 6–5 start to America East play, Vermont went on an eight-game win streak to reach the finals of the 2016 America East Conference tournament championship game, where it fell 80–74 to Stony Brook. Becker guided the Catamounts to its fifth-straight 20-win season, and a bid to the 2016 College Basketball Invitational where the Catamounts made its second-straight semifinal appearance. It marked eight years in a row that UVM has participated in a postseason tournament. On January 27, 2016, Becker picked up his 100th overall victory at Vermont, with a 66–50 win over the New Hampshire.[6] The feat was accomplished in 158 games, which ties Mike Lonergan for fastest to reach 100 wins by a UVM coach.

2016–17

Becker guided the Catamounts to a historic season, setting a program record for wins, and a perfect 16–0 mark in America East play, marking only the third time in league history that a team completed the regular season undefeated. For his coaching efforts, Becker earned his second America East Coach of the Year award, while Catamount players swept all major conference awards.[7] Becker also moved into third all-time in wins at UVM. Vermont continued its run in the 2017 America East men's basketball tournament, capturing its sixth conference tournament title to earn a berth in the 2017 NCAA tournament. As a 13-seed with the longest win streak in the country at 21-straight heading into the tournament, the Catamounts faced fourth-seeded Purdue in the first round, falling 80–70 and finishing with an overall record of 29–6.

2017–18

With reigning America East Player of the Year Trae Bell-Haynes and nine other returnees, the Catamounts continued its run of form in America East play earning its ninth conference regular season championship and second-straight America East regular season crown, going 15–1 in conference, with its only loss coming to Hartford on February 18, 2018, snapping a run of 31 straight wins against America East opponents, and a 15-game win streak.[8] Becker once again was awarded America East Coach of the Year honors, sharing the award with Hartford's John Gallagher.[9] Vermont reached the America East Championship game for the third time in as many years, falling at home to future NCAA Tournament darling UMBC 65–62.[10] As the conference's regular season champion, the Catamounts participated in the 2018 NIT where as a six seed, Vermont faced Middle Tennessee, and was defeated 91–64 to finish the season 27–8. The 27 wins is tied for second-most in school history, behind the 2016–17 campaign's 29 wins.

2018–19

During the 2018–19 season, Becker guided the Catamounts to its third-straight America East regular season championship and its seventh overall America East tournament championship.[11][12] For the fourth time, Becker was also named America East Coach of the Year.[13] The Catamounts drew a 13-seed in the first round of the 2019 NCAA tournament and were defeated by Florida State 76–69 to finish the season 27–7.[14]

On February 2, 2019, the Catamounts' 74–65 win over UMass Lowell marked Becker's 100th win in conference play.[15][16] He set a new America East record as the fastest head coach to reach 100 conference wins, doing so in his 120th conference game, tying Kansas' Bill Self for fourth on the all-time list for NCAA Division I men's basketball. The only other men's coaches in Division I (and its predecessors) to reach the milestone in fewer conference games are Mark Few (112 games with Gonzaga), Adolph Rupp (116 with Kentucky), and John Chaney (118 with Temple).[16] At the close of the season, Becker was named the USBWA district I coach of the year for the third consecutive season.[17][18][19]

2019–20

With the return of reigning America East Player of the year Anthony Lamb, Becker guided the Catamounts to its fourth-straight outright regular season title, which set a league record while also earning his record fifth America East Coach of the Year award.[20] He would lead Vermont to a 26–7 overall record, including a win over St. John's for the team's first win over a Big East opponent in its current formation.[21] He also earned his 200th career win at Vermont with a 55–38 win over Towson on December 7, 2019.[22] The Catamounts would reach the America East tournament final for fifth-straight season, but the title game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23] UVM was awarded the tournament championship as the highest seed remaining. [24]

2020–21

The Catamounts only played a conference schedule due to COVID-19, finishing with at 10–4 regular season record and a share of the America East regular season title for the filth year in a row.[25] Becker also coached the America East Player of the Year for the fifth season in a row as Ryan Davis was named the conference's top performer.[26] As the two seed in the 2021 America East tournament, the Catamounts secured a bye to the semifinals, where they were upset by fourth-seeded Hartford 71–65.[27]

2021–22

Becker guided the Catamounts to a 28–6 overall mark, the second-most wins in school history, which included a 17–1 America East record as Vermont won both the regular season and tournament titles. Once again, Becker coached America East Player of the Year Ryan Davis while earning his record sixth America East Coach of the Year honor.[28] In the first round of the 2022 NCAA tournament, Vermont lost to Arkansas 75–71.[29]

2022–23

With a 23–11 overall record, which included a 74–64 win versus Bryant on January 5, 2023 to become Vermont's all-time leader in career wins, passing Tom Brennan.[30][31] Vermont earned both conference regular season title and tournament titles for the fourth time under Becker, en route to its second-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.[32] Becker also coached the conference's Player of the Year, Finn Sullivan, making it seven-straight years a Catamount earned the league's top honor.[33] As a 15-seed, Vermont faced off against Marquette, falling 78–61.[34]

2023–24

Notching a 28–7 mark, the Catamounts earned their third-straight conference tournament crown, defeating UMass Lowell, marking the second three-peat in program history.[35] Becker earned his 300th career win at Vermont in a 70–54 win over New Hampshire.[36][37] As a 13-seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Catamounts faced off against Duke, losing 64–47.[38]

Controversies

In October 2020, a former University of Vermont swimmer came forward and revealed she was raped by a member of the Vermont men's basketball team, alleging the school had mishandled the Title IX investigation and dissuaded her from making a 'formal' complaint, which would have meant the player would have to sit out games.[39] As a result of widespread protests on campus against the university's handling of sexual assault cases, students called for the firing of Becker and other athletic department officials for their role in mishandling the case.[40][41][42][43]

In 2022, a civil lawsuit was filed against the University of Vermont over the alleged cover-up of the rape case, revealing that former player Anthony Lamb was named as the alleged assailant.[44]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Gallaudet Bison (Capital Athletic Conference) (1997–1999)
1997–98 Gallaudet 3–22 1–13 8th
1998–99 Gallaudet 3–22 1–13 8th
Gallaudet: 6–44 (.120) 2–26 (.071)
Vermont Catamounts (America East Conference) (2011–present)
2011–12 Vermont 24–12 13–3 2nd NCAA Division I Round of 64
2012–13 Vermont 21–12 11–5 2nd CBI First Round
2013–14 Vermont 22–11 15–1 1st NIT First Round
2014–15 Vermont 20–14 12–4 T–2nd CBI Semifinals
2015–16 Vermont 23–14 11–5 T–3rd CBI Semifinals
2016–17 Vermont 29–6 16–0 1st NCAA Division I Round of 64
2017–18 Vermont 27–8 15–1 1st NIT First Round
2018–19 Vermont 27–7 14–2 1st NCAA Division I Round of 64
2019–20 Vermont 26–7 14–2 1st Postseason cancelled due to COVID-19
2020–21 Vermont 10–5 10–4 T–1st
2021–22 Vermont 28–6 17–1 1st NCAA Division I Round of 64
2022–23 Vermont 23–11 14–2 1st NCAA Division I Round of 64
2023–24 Vermont 28–7 15–1 1st NCAA Division I Round of 64
Vermont: 308–120 (.720) 180–31 (.853)
Total: 314–164 (.657)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

  1. ^ "Source: Becker named UVM men's basketball coach". burlingtonfreepress.com. Retrieved 20 May 2011.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Vermont coach John Becker's route to the NCAA tournament included an IT job, a pay cut and tennis". Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  3. ^ "UVM Athletics".
  4. ^ http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20110510/SPORTS0101/110510027 [bare URL]
  5. ^ "Vermont Names John Becker Head Men's Basketball Coach". Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  6. ^ "Becker Gets 100 as Catamounts Pick Up Road Win at UNH". 27 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Men's Hoops Sweep America East Major Awards, Henson and Duncan Earn All-Conference Honors". 27 February 2017.
  8. ^ "Hartford ends Cats' winning streaks".
  9. ^ "Bell-Haynes Repeats as Player of Year to Highlight 2017–18 Men's #AEHoops Awards".
  10. ^ "Men's Hoops Falls Short in America East Title Game – University of Vermont". Vermont Catamounts. 10 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Men's Hoops Beats Stony Brook 56–50 for Third Consecutive America East Regular Season Crown". University of Vermont Athletics. 2 March 2019.
  12. ^ "America East championship: Vermont books NCAA tournament berth, topples UMBC". Burlington Free Press.
  13. ^ "Four Cats Earn All-America East Honors; Becker and Lamb Major Award Winners". University of Vermont Athletics. 7 March 2019.
  14. ^ Eaton-Robb, Pat (21 March 2019). "Kabengele, Mann lead 4th-seed FSU over hot-shooting Vermont". AP NEWS.
  15. ^ "Lamb has 29 points, leads Vermont over UMass Lowell 74–65". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 2, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  16. ^ a b Forde, Pat (February 11, 2019). "3 rivalries that will likely decide conference titles, top NCAA seeds and bragging rights". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  17. ^ "Becker, Lamb Earn USBWA District I Honors". uvmathletics.com. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 7 Mar 2017.
  18. ^ "NABC Announces Division I All-District Coaches". NABC. 21 March 2018.
  19. ^ "NABC Names Division I All-District Coaches". NABC. 22 March 2019.
  20. ^ "Lamb's Second Player of Year Honor Highlights 2019–20 Men's #AEHoops Honors" (Press release). America East Conference. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  21. ^ "Men's Hoops Takes Down St. John's with Lamb's Late Jumper". University of Vermont Athletics. 16 November 2019.
  22. ^ "Smith's Season-High 25 Points Lead Catamounts Over Towson". University of Vermont Athletics. 7 December 2019.
  23. ^ "America East Cancels Basketball Championship Games". americaeast.com.
  24. ^ "2023-24 MBB Record Book (PDF) - America East Conference" (PDF).
  25. ^ "Men's Hoops Outlasts UMBC to Secure Fifth Consecutive America East Regular Season Title". University of Vermont Athletics. 18 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Ryan Davis Chosen #AEHoops Player of Year Highlight 2020–21 Award Winners". americaeast.com. 25 February 2021.
  27. ^ Abrami, Alex. "UVM basketball: Hartford halts Catamounts' America East title reign in semifinal stunner". The Burlington Free Press.
  28. ^ Abrami, Alex. "UVM's Ryan Davis repeats as America East Conference player of the year". The Burlington Free Press.
  29. ^ "Arkansas hangs on for 75-71 win over 13th-seeded Vermont". AP NEWS. March 18, 2022.
  30. ^ "Becker Sets Program Wins Record with 74-64 Victory Over Bryant". University of Vermont Athletics. January 5, 2023.
  31. ^ Main, Jack (January 6, 2023). "Becker makes history, as UVM downs Bryant in America East home opener". WPTZ.
  32. ^ "Vermont dashes UMass Lowell's hopes of a spot in NCAA men's basketball tournament - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
  33. ^ Grosse, Ken (March 13, 2023). "Former Torrey Pines star snags America East Player of the Year honors". Del Mar Times.
  34. ^ "March Madness: Jones, Marquette roll over Vermont 78-61". AP News. March 17, 2023.
  35. ^ "Vermont basketball survives for America East title three-peat, bound for NCAA Tournament". Burlington Free Press.
  36. ^ Cierzan, Noah (February 19, 2024). "Vermont head coach John Becker reaches 300 career wins". WPTZ.
  37. ^ <https://uvmathletics.com/news/2024/2/15/mens-basketball-becker-and-deloney-reach-career-milestones-in-commanding-70-54-win-over-unh.aspx
  38. ^ "March Madness: Duke gets past Vermont 64-47 in South Region despite offensive dud from Filipowski". AP News. March 23, 2024.
  39. ^ "'I wanted justice': After reporting rape, swimmer says college mishandled investigation". The Daily Messenger.
  40. ^ Ruehsen, Ella (21 February 2022). "Hundreds protest sexual violence at UVM on Admitted Students Visit Day". The Vermont Cynic. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  41. ^ Guessferd, Christina (18 February 2022). "Student protesters claim UVM silenced survivors of sexual assault". www.wcax.com. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  42. ^ Flannery, Curtis (2021-02-20). "Coach Candidate: John Becker's New England success could bring him to Boston College". BC Interruption. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  43. ^ "Matt Vautour: Don't expect Rick Pitino or rule out Mark Schmidt as UMass begins coaching search". masslive. 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  44. ^ Edgar, Derek Brouwer, Chelsea. "Lawsuit: UVM Mishandled Rape Allegation Against Basketball Star Anthony Lamb". Seven Days.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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