VCU names former Bryant head basketball coach Phil Martelli Jr. the next Rams head coach

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Phil Martelli Jr. has been named the 14th head coach of VCU Men’s Basketball team, which was officially announced by Athletics Director Ed McLaughlin on Wednesday.

Martelli, 43, comes to VCU after two successful seasons as the head coach at Bryant University, where he led the Bulldogs to a 43-25 record. Under his leadership, Bryant captured the America East regular-season and tournament championships, securing their second NCAA Tournament appearance since transitioning to Division I.

Martelli’s tenure at Bryant followed a successful stint as an assistant coach at several programs, including Central Connecticut, Manhattan, Niagara, and Delaware, as well as in the NBA G-League with the Delaware 87ers.

He joined Bryant in 2018, was promoted to associate head coach in 2020, and led the team to back-to-back 20-win seasons, including an impressive 2024-25 campaign, which saw Bryant rank 21st nationally in scoring offense with 81.8 points per game.

“We are thrilled to have Phil Martelli, Jr., as our new head men’s basketball coach. Phil has proven himself as a winner throughout his career. He helped engineer a historic turnaround at Bryant and led the program to unprecedented success the past two seasons,” McLaughlin said. “He has clearly lived his entire life amid college basketball legends but has made his own path and paid his dues through hard work, good character, and a devotion to developing young men into the best versions of themselves through sport.”

Martelli, who has a long-standing connection to basketball, is the son of former longtime Saint Joseph’s Head Coach Phil Martelli Sr. He is also the brother of former VCU Director of Operations Jimmy Martelli.

Phil Martelli Jr. expressed his excitement about the opportunity at VCU, saying, “VCU has long been a dream job for me because of the high standards of excellence and national brand. I am excited to help carry on the legacy that has been set here and help elevate it to the next level.”

Martelli is set to be formally introduced at a press conference at the Stuart C. Siegel Center on Thursday, March 27, at 11:30 a.m., which is open to the public.