Steve Masiello should soon be back at Manhattan.
Masiello, the basketball coach who was placed on leave by the school in April after it was discovered he had not graduated from the University of Kentucky, has finished all the coursework from the three undergraduate classes he needs to complete his degree. A University of Kentucky spokesman confirmed he is on track to receive his degree and graduate in August.
A source familiar with the situation said Masiello has not been given a set timetable for his reinstatement by Manhattan, which decided to allow the 36-year-old to return for his fourth season after concluding he did not intentionally falsify the information on his resume.
Associate coach Matt Grady has been serving as the interim coach.
“After an extensive review of the situation and extenuating circumstances, we determined that Mr. Masiello executed poor judgment but did not intentionally misrepresent himself in applying to the College,” Brennan O’Donnell, president of Manhattan College, said in a statement in April. “After participating in graduation ceremonies at the University of Kentucky, he enrolled in summer courses with the intention of completing his degree, but never followed through to make sure that the degree was awarded.
“Our policy was always that the coach must have at least a four-year undergraduate degree. We are confident that Mr. Masiello will be able to complete his degree this summer and return soon thereafter to resume his duties.”
Masiello, who attended Kentucky as a walk-on from 1996-2000, is coming off his most successful season as a coach, having led Manhattan to 25 wins, its first NCAA Tournament berth in 10 years and a near-upset of defending national champion Louisville.
The White Plains native still has two years remaining on the five-year contract he signed in 2011.