BROOKLYN, N.Y. — St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) head men's basketball coach Joseph Cocozello '95 will retire from coaching after 25 years of service to his alma mater, including 23 seasons at the helm of the Bears program.
"These days, it is rare to have a coach lead the same program for the entirety of their collegiate career, and this really is a testament to who Joe is. Through athletics association and conference realignments, Joe remained committed to the ideals of St. Joseph's University, Brooklyn, and to building young men of character," remarked Director of Athletics and Recreation Megan Valentine.
"It has been a blessing for me to call St. Joseph's home for the past 26 years. I am grateful to Joe Ross for bringing me in, Sherrie Van Arnam for hiring me, and S. Elizabeth Hill, Dr. Calareso, and Dr. Boomgaarden for their trust and support. It has truly been an honor for me to represent St. Joseph's and to be a part of the lives of the close to 300 men I had the opportunity to coach, " commented Cocozello. "My gratitude goes out to each and every one of them for their dedication and commitment to our great school."
Cocozello took over as head coach in 2002 after three years as an assistant. He made an immediate impact, guiding the Bears to an 18–11 record and their first-ever appearance at the USCAA National Tournament, where the team reached the championship game. His tenure was marked by historic milestones, including a program-record 21 wins in 2005–06, a feat he repeated the following year. Across 13 years competing in the USCAA, the Bears made six National Tournament appearances, capped by three straight winning seasons from 2013–15.
During St. Joseph's years in the Hudson Valley Men's Athletic Conference (HVMAC), later renamed the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Conference (HVIAC), Cocozello's teams dominated, compiling a 71–14 record and capturing six regular-season titles. His Bears claimed conference championships in 2008, 2010, and 2014, the latter following an unbeaten run through HVIAC play. In 2015–16, their first season in the Skyline Conference, the Bears advanced to the conference final after a Cinderella run as the No. 6 seed, knocking off Farmingdale State College and Russel Sage College before falling one win shy of an NCAA Tournament berth.
Cocozello's leadership earned him numerous honors, including seven HVIAC Coach of the Year awards, USCAA National Coach of the Year (2005), and four AD3I Coach of the Year honors. He is equally proud of his program's academic successes, with two Bears — David Louison '15 and Michael Megafu '16 — earning CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition under his guidance. Since joining the Skyline, 30 of his men have garnered Skyline Academic Honor Roll recognition.
"Joe prioritized academics and skill-set development that enabled his student-athletes to be successful not only on the court but also in the community and chosen professions post-graduation. His players speak highly of their time at St. Joseph's and of how much their experience meant to them," added Valentine. "I'm not sure that there is a better way to leave your mark on the profession. Impact does not always show itself on a stat sheet, and we are grateful to Joe for so many years of committed service to his alma mater."
Cocozello went on to say, "While some years saw more success than others, I could not be more proud of the integrity and dignity that our guys represented St. Joseph's with year after year. It was never just about basketball, but rather basketball, and life after basketball. While I knew I was getting close to the end, the Good Lord made the decision to step down an easy one for me."
With Cocozello's retirement, Sebastien Etheart '20 has been named interim head coach for the upcoming 2025–26 season. A former standout player and four-year assistant under Cocozello, Etheart has been instrumental in player development, recruitment, and the program's daily operations. Additionally, Chris Tracy '23 will see an increased role as the team's assistant.
"I could not be prouder to have Coach Sebastien Etheart and Coach Chris Tracy assume the leadership of our program. They have great basketball minds, endless energy, a hunger to succeed, and an exceptional rapport with one another and the modern student-athlete," Cocozello commented, "I am confident that our program is in great hands and I wish them great success. My only regret is not having the opportunity to be a part of the final year for our seniors, but to the 2025-2026 men's team, I will no doubt be your biggest fan! God bless and good luck!"
"As a leader, I strive every day to emulate Coach Cocozello. His commitment to excellence—both in academics and in personal growth on and off the court—is truly unmatched," said Etheart. "My four years playing college basketball were some of the best times of my life, filled with lessons and memories I will cherish forever."
Etheart went on to say, "Coaching alongside him has been just as rewarding. I call coach 'Pops' because of the role he has played in my life, and I couldn't have asked for a better leader to guide me through my young coaching career. The trust he's placed in me within our program, along with the mentorship and wisdom he continues to share, make him one of the most valuable influences I've ever had."
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to carry forward the standards and culture he's built, and I hope to make him, our school, our alumni, and our supporters proud," Etheart concluded.
The Bears are coming off an exhibition at Manhattan University on Tuesday night. They tip off the 2025-26 season at Gwynedd Mercy University on Monday, November 10 at 6 pm.
