Sean Rutigliano (roo-till-ee-AH-know) (@CoachRutigs) begins his seventh year as a member of the Belmont University men's basketball coaching staff in 2025-26.
Rutigliano was elevated to associate head coach (alongside Brian Ayers) by head coach Casey Alexander May 28, 2024.
Rutigliano has thrived in numerous capacities within the Belmont program, most notably on-court teaching, player development and game preparation as the Bruins have ranked among national leaders in total victories, conference victories, scoring offense, effective field goal percentage and assists per game during his time with the Bruins.
The Suffern, New York native has been part of nine consecutive 20-win seasons with Alexander 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.
Rutigliano, who has coached NBA players Ben Sheppard, Garrison Mathews, Will Richard, and Jonathan Pierre, was recently named to the to the Silver Waves Media Elite 50 list for men’s basketball assistant coaches.
Belmont has had 22 all-conference honorees since Rutigliano joined the staff.
He has added to Belmont's conference championship tradition and contributed to a remarkable 140-54 record over the last six seasons.
Rutigliano spent the four prior seasons as a member of Alexander's staff at Lipscomb. The Bison program reached new heights, with an NCAA Tournament appearance, an NIT Championship game appearance and 52 total wins over the last two years. Rutigliano coached All-Atlantic Sun players Mathews, Rob Marberry and JC Hampton.
He spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Army West Point, while also serving on staffs at Kean University (NJ), University of Alabama Huntsville and Ouachita Baptist University (AR) - where he worked alongside former Belmont assistant Mark Price.
During his time in Huntsville, Rutigliano helped recruit the nucleus of the UAH 2010 NCAA Division II Elite Eight squad including Josh Magette, a National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) First Team All-American.
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.
Rutigliano and his wife, Bridget, live in Nashville. The couple has one son, Kaleb.
