After nearly two decades at the helm, Mark Schmidt is stepping down as the head coach of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies men’s basketball program. Schmidt announced his departure on Saturday, bringing an end to a 19-year tenure that saw the Bonnies rise from a program in turmoil to a respected contender within the Atlantic 10 Conference. Under his guidance, St. Bonaventure made three NCAA Tournament appearances—in 2012, 2018, and 2021—highlighting some of the program’s most successful years in recent memory.
Reflecting on his long career in Olean, New York, Schmidt expressed gratitude for the opportunity to coach at St. Bonaventure. “I’m a lucky guy. To be able to be the head coach at St. Bonaventure for 19 years is an honor,” he said. Recalling the uncertain beginnings of his tenure, Schmidt remembered being told early on that his stay might be brief, and that he would likely move on to selling insurance within a few years. However, crediting key figures such as Steve Watson and Sister Margaret Carney, Schmidt acknowledged that the university took a chance on him despite his prior coaching record at Robert Morris, where he went 82-90. Their faith allowed him to build the Bonnies into a solid program, one that achieved a 57% winning percentage over his time there and set multiple school records.
The circumstances of Schmidt’s departure were initially reported as a dismissal by St. Bonaventure’s General Manager Adrian “Woj” Wojnarowski and Athletic Director Robert Beretta, with one report stating that Schmidt, who had one year left on his contract, was being relieved of his duties at the season’s end. However, a source close to the situation disputed this narrative, telling CBS Sports that Schmidt’s decision to step away was entirely his own. Despite the bittersweet nature of his final home game, a narrow 68-63 loss to Davidson that left the Bonnies with a 15-16 record, Schmidt remains open to future coaching opportunities.
Mark Schmidt’s legacy at St. Bonaventure is significant. Taking over in 2007, he inherited a program that had been severely damaged by academic and eligibility scandals in the early 2000s, which nearly led to the program’s dissolution. Overcoming these challenges, Schmidt not only restored stability but also elevated the Bonnies to competitive status within the Atlantic 10. His 339 wins are the most in program history, and his four conference titles underscore his lasting impact.
The coaching carousel this season has been particularly active, with numerous openings and changes across college basketball. As the sport’s postseason unfolds, coaching news off the court is generating nearly as much attention as the games themselves. Analysts expect up to a dozen major job openings among power conferences by early April, with some surprises still possible. The coaching landscape is as dynamic as ever, with many programs looking to reset or build on recent performances.
One of the first high-profile openings to emerge was at Kansas State, where Jerome Tang was fired for cause on February 15. The circumstances surrounding Tang’s departure have been contentious, involving ongoing legal disputes over the firing’s validity. If the university’s position holds, Tang would receive no severance; if not, he stands to gain over $18 million. The firing followed a public postgame rant by Tang, in which he criticized his players and indicated that many would not return next season. Kansas State has already begun quietly interviewing candidates and aims to hire a sitting head coach. However, financial considerations related to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funding may complicate the search, as the program’s budget for NIL opportunities is expected to decrease from previous cycles.
Providence also announced a coaching change with Kim English set to leave at the end of the season. The Friars have struggled this year, posting a 14-16 record after a heavy loss to Marquette. English, 37, will finish out the season, with his final game on the road against Georgetown—coached by Ed Cooley, who left Providence for the Hoyas a few years ago. Speculation about potential replacements includes names like Josh Schertz from Saint Louis, Jerrod Calhoun of Utah State, Bryan Hodgson from South Florida, and James Jones from Yale, though the search remains wide open.
At Air Force, Joe Scott’s tenure ended earlier this year after he was placed on leave