GLASSBORO N.J. – Rowan University’s Athletic Director, Dan Gilmore will retire after 43 years with the University. John Giannini, the founding director of Rowan University’s Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact, will become the interim athletic director.
Giannini taught and coached basketball at Rowan from 1989 to 1996 and returned to the University to start the Center for Sports Communication & Social Impact in 2018, after working at the University of Maine and LaSalle University.
“Dr. Giannini brings to the AD position an impressive record on the court and in the classroom, guided by an unwavering commitment to helping students and student-athletes thrive in all areas of their lives,” said Ali Houshmand, president of Rowan University said in a press release. “John’s passion and energy are contagious attributes that will strengthen our program and positively impact all of our current and future students, as well as Rowan community members.”
Dan Gilmore finished his coaching career at Rowan with a record of 559-184-59 that places him seventh on the all-time victories list among all divisions in the NCAA, and fifth in Division III. He led Rowan University to two national championships, in 1981 and 1990, and his teams appeared in 24 NCAA Division III Championship Tournaments. He also led his teams to 13 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championships. He was selected as the NJAC Coach of the Year nine times.
As Rowan’s men’s basketball coach, Giannini’s record was 168-38, which included the 1996 NCAA Division III national championship. That year, he was named the Division III Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In all, his squads made three final four appearances. While at the University of Maine, he had two 20-win seasons, and remains the Black Bears’ winningest coach. During almost three decades in coaching, his fiercely competitive teams were 508-375, a nearly 60 percent winning percentage.
“I am happy to be back with Rowan Athletics, where I have so many great memories, and I look forward to helping to create new special memories for our outstanding coaches and student-athletes,” Giannini said in a press release. “We have strong traditions of success across many sports and a rapidly ascending university that make the potential for the future seemingly limitless.”
Giannini was inducted into the Rowan University-Glassboro State College Hall of Fame in 2004. Has authored numerous research journal articles and practical articles for coaching publication. He has raised money for cancer research and ALS, and supports the Philadelphia Youth Basketball and Samaritan’s Feet, which works to provide shoes to children around the world.
Giannini will be the interim athletic director for one year, afterward, the University will decide to conduct a national search for a permanent director.
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