Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Athletics

COACHING EXPERIENCE
Head Coach, Fairleigh Dickinson University (2018-Present) – Fifth season
Assistant Coach, Gettysburg College (2014-2018)
Graduate Assistant Coach, Misericordia University (2012-2014)
 
HONORS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2020 MAC Freedom Coach of the Year
2020 & 2022 MAC Freedom Tournament appearances
2020 Under Armour Top 30-Under-30 selection
24 MAC Honor Roll selections
1 Academic All-MAC selection
6 NABC Honor Roll selections
 
FDU
Jeff Slanovec begins his fifth season as the Head Men’s Basketball coach in 2022-23. He became the eighth coach in program history when he was hired in July of 2018.

During the 2021-22 season, Slanovec coached Oliver Ortman BA '21 MSM '22, who received Honorable Mention All-MAC honors and who became the 32nd student-athlete in program history to reach 1,000 career points. The men's basketball program also earned the NABC Team Academic Award for the first time in program history under Slanovec.
 
In his third season, Slanovec coached the Devils through a short six week season as COVID-19 continued to obstruct play throughout the northeast. Matt Johnson ’24 was named Honorable Mention All-MAC after leading the Devils in scoring with 12.9 ppg. Johnson’s honor marked the first time in program history that a first year garnered All-Conference recognition.
 
In his second season, Slanovec led the Devils to the playoffs after being picked last in the preseason poll, the program's first playoff appearance since the 2013-14 season. For that, Slanovec was named as the MAC Freedom Coach of the Year. 

Andy Fleurantin '20 and Oliver Ortman BA '21 MSM '22 were both First Team All-MAC selections, the first time in program history that the Devils had two first time honorees in the same season. Kenny LaRocca '20 was also named a Second Team All-MAC honoree. With one of the best offenses in the region and one of the best shooting teams in the country, the Devils rewrote the record books. The 308 three pointers made for the season was a new program record, smashing the previous record of 224, and the 22 made threes at Wilkes (2/22/20) set the single game mark. In addition, Ortman and LaRocca both set new individual single season (76) and single game (8) marks. The Devils finished the season as just one of five teams nationally to rank in the Top 30 in three point field goals made, three point field goals taken, three point field goals per game as well as three point field goal percentage. A critical piece to the Devils offensively, they led the MAC Freedom in Assist to Turnover Ratio, while turning the ball over the second fewest times in the entire country.
 
During his first season at the helm of FDU, the Devils won seven games, doubling their win total from the previous season. The 2018-19 team broke the program record for three pointers made in a season with 224 and free throw percentage, finishing the season shooting 74.5% from the stripe. Darren Davy '20 was named All-MAC Honorable mention. 
 
Since August of 2019, Slanovec has also served as the Head Men's Golf Coach at FDU. In 2020, Slanovec was named the Director of the Robert T. Shields/Devils Athletics Golf Outing, which serves as a primary fundraising event to support and enhance the student-athlete experience at FDU. As Director, he created the Shields/Devils Athletics Golf Outing Committee, which included members of athletic administration, other head coaches as well as athletic alumni of FDU. This year’s outing, his first as Director, was a resounding success, which you can read more about here
 
PRIOR TO FDU 
Slanovec came to FDU after spending four seasons as the Assistant Men’s Basketball and Golf Coach at Gettysburg College. His primary responsibility was on the defensive end, where the Bullets consistently ranked near the tops in the Centennial Conference in several defensive categories. Gettysburg made two playoff appearances during his time, with six players receiving All-Centennial Conference honors. The Bullets also made noise on the national scene, defeating No. 7 Dickinson, 67-61 in '14-15, the program's first win over a Top 10 team in nearly 15 years, and No. 13 Franklin and Marshall, 73-57 in '15-16. 
 
Prior to Gettysburg, Slanovec was the Graduate Assistant and Recruiting Coordinator at his alma mater, fellow Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom foe Misericordia University. While there, Misericordia was tops in the conference in scoring defense in 2013-14, while Slanovec oversaw skill development for all guards, including a two-time All-MAC Freedom honoree, Matt Greene.
 
PLAYING CAREER
- Three sport athlete at Misericordia in basketball, baseball and golf
- Three year starter in basketball
- Captain for the '11-12 MAC Freedom Champs, earning the school's first NCAA Tournament berth
- 1,000 point scorer and finished career with the second most three pointers in school history
- Four year starter in baseball
- MAC Freedom champs in both 2011 and 2012, the first two in school history
- Batted .419 during the '11-12 season, earning All-MAC, All-Region and Capital One Academic All American honors
- Played golf while in graduate school, finishing second in the MAC Freedom Tournament, earning MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year and First Team All-MAC honors
 
EDUCATION
Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Misericordia University (2012)
Masters Degree in Business Administration, Misericordia University (2014)
 
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 Bucknell University Head Women's Basketball Coach and former Misericordia University Head Men's Basketball 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 Misericordia University Director of Athletics.
 
“Jeff is one of the brightest head basketball coaches in college basketball today. He possesses a fundamentally sound background both offensively and defensively. In addition, he has a keen eye for seeing new trends. He teaches an up-tempo style of basketball molded to his players talents and skills. It’s exciting, enjoyable to watch, difficult to defend and I’m sure fun to play in!” – George Petrie, former Gettysburg College Head Men’s Basketball and Golf Coach