Sean Rutigliano Named Head Coach at Colby College

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University men's basketball associate head coach Sean Rutigliano (roo-till-ee-AH-know) has been named head men's basketball coach at Colby College (Maine), the school announced Friday.

Rutigliano spent the last six seasons as an integral member of the Bruin coaching staff, adding to Belmont's conference championship tradition and contributing to a remarkable 140-54 record.

"Sean has been a difference maker in our program and throughout our athletic department," Belmont head coach Casey Alexander said. "We are grateful for his contributions to Belmont and look forward to following his career as a head coach."

The Suffern, New York native has been part of nine consecutive 20-win seasons as a member of Alexander's staff – dating back to Lipscomb - and has spearheaded Belmont's successful run of incoming transfers, including Jonathan Pierre, Carter Whitt, Brody Peebles, Keishawn Davidson, Malik Dia, Jayce Willingham, Drew Friberg, Tyler Scanlon and current Bruins Nic McClain, Isaiah West, Tyler Lundblade, and Aidan Noyes.

Pierre and Whitt garnered All-MVC honors in 2024-25, with Pierre invited to the 2025 NBA G League Elite Camp.
 
Belmont has had 22 all-conference honorees with Rutigliano on staff.
 
Among the most connected and universally-respected coaches in college basketball, Rutigliano has coached four NBA players – including Indiana Pacer guard and Belmont standout Ben Sheppard.
 
He was recently named to the to the Silver Waves Media Elite 50 list for men's basketball assistant coaches.
 
Rutigliano graduated magna cum laude from Cortland State with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 2007. He earned his master's degree from Ball State University in 2010. Prior to attending Cortland, he earned an associate's degree from SUNY Rockland Community College where he was a two-sport standout in basketball and tennis.

Rutigliano earned the SUNY Chancellor's award for student excellence and earned national academic recognition from the National Junior College Athletic Association.
 
Belmont University men's basketball has been a postseason fixture for the last two decades, including nine berths to the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins have won 20 conference championships since 2006 - third-most nationally over that span (behind Gonzaga and Kansas). Belmont has won 20 or more games in 15 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and Oregon) and 19 or more games in 20 consecutive seasons (alongside Gonzaga, Kansas, and San Diego State). Belmont is among select programs with two or more first-round selections in the NBA Draft over the last six years (Ben Sheppard, Dylan Windler). Belmont University men's basketball boasts an NCAA-leading 19 Academic All-America selections since 2001 and is the only NCAA Division I program to make the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Honor Roll every year of its existence. Belmont is the only NCAA Division I institution in America whose men's and women's basketball programs have won 20 or more games in 10 consecutive seasons.