MADISON, N.J. (July 23, 2018) – After a national search, the Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Department of Athletics has selected Jeff Slanovec as its next Head Men's Basketball Coach.

"I am so honored and excited to be named the next Head Men's Basketball Coach at FDU-Florham," Slanovec said. "I'd like to thank Director of Athletics Jenn Noon and the entire search committee for giving me the opportunity to lead the Devils Men's Basketball program. I'm thrilled to be back in the MAC Freedom conference and am eager to build this program into a championship contender. It is my goal to prepare our student-athletes to be champions not only on the court, but also champions off the court, who are ready to lead successful lives long after the final buzzer sounds."

"We are very excited to welcome Jeff Slanovec to the Devils family," Director of Athletics Jenn Noon stated. "Jeff's enthusiasm and energy will make an immediate impact on the men's basketball program.  Jeff has been mentored by many distinguished coaches thus I am confident he is ready to become FDU's 8th Head Men's Basketball coach.  Jeff's connections within the MAC Freedom Conference and tri-state basketball community will aid in his success."

Slanovec comes to FDU after spending four seasons as the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Gettysburg College while also serving as the Assistant Men's Golf Coach. His primary responsibility was on the defensive end, leading the Centennial Conference in fewest fouls committed during the 2015-16 and 2017-18 seasons and was tops in three point field goal defense in 2016-17.

The Bullets also were ranked on the national level in scoring defense (11th in 2015-16, 9th in 2016-17 and 34th in 2017-18) as well as three point field goal defense (12th in 2016-17, 32nd in 2017-18). Gettysburg also was seen in the top-40 in all three seasons in fewest fouls committed, finishing as high as 18th in 2015-16.

In his first season on the staff in 2014-15, Gettysburg went 15-12, including a win over seventh-ranked Dickinson College during the regular season. The victory marked the program's first win over a top-10 team in 12 years. One year later, Slanovec helped coach the team to an 18-9 record, including 12-6 in conference. The squad won its own tip-off tournament and knocked off No. 13 Franklin & Marshall College during the regular season. In 2016-17, Gettysburg also defeated a nationally-ranked opponent for the third year in a row with a win over No. 23 Franklin & Marshall. Slanovec mentored All-Centennial Conference performer Sean Gordon, who signed a professional contract with Eanna BC in the Ireland Premier League. He also coordinated all recruiting efforts while also organizing every aspect of team travel.

Prior to Gettysburg, Slanovec was a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, fellow Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom foe Misericordia. In his two seasons, the Cougars advanced to the MAC Freedom Tournament twice, including a conference championship game appearance in 2013. While there, Misericordia was tops in the conference in scoring defense in 2014, and oversaw skill development for all guards, including a two-time All-Freedom Conference honoree. He was also responsible for game and practice plans, scouting reports, recruiting, strength and conditioning, and film preparation.

Slanovec also gained coaching experience at the AAU level, serving as the head coach of the Wyoming Valley Barons in Dallas, Pa. In addition, he brings clinical experience as an assistant camp director at both the Woodruff Basketball School in Dallas and In the Zone Basketball Camps in Bath, Pa. while also assisting at other national camps.

As a student-athlete at Misericordia, Slanovec earned nine varsity letters: four apiece in basketball and baseball and one in golf. On the hardwood, he was a 1,000-point scorer while helping the Cougars to the Freedom Conference title and an NCAA Division III tournament berth as a senior, when he served as a team captain. He was also a four-year starter on the baseball team, which won two MAC Freedom Conference titles. Slanovec was named All-Freedom Conference, ABCA All-Region, and a CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-American as a senior in 2012. In addition, he was the runner-up at the 2013 Freedom Conference Men's Golf Championship and was named Freedom Conference Rookie of the Year and first-team all-conference.
 
Slanovec graduated from Misericordia with both a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration with an accounting specialization.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JEFF
"Everyone in our basketball family is thrilled for Jeff to get this opportunity.  From his days as a nationally recognized student-athlete, to the current day, Jeff has always been able to prioritize what is important and as a result he's been successful at every step along the way.  In my opinion his intelligence, work ethic and genuine care for people will make him a star in the coaching world."  - Trevor Woodruff, current University of Scranton Head Women's Basketball Coach and former Misericordia University Men's Basketball Head Coach

"Jeff is a true student of the game and one of the rising stars in the basketball coaching profession! He understands Division III Athletics and knows what it takes to be successful at this level. He will be a great addition to the team that Jenn Noon is putting together at FDU!" - Dave Martin, current University of Scranton Director of Athletics and former Director of Athletics at Misericordia University.