PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After 22 years of leading the Division III Gwynedd Mercy University men's basketball team, John Baron is moving to a new home.
Baron is one of the Philly area's top coaches. During his time at Gwynedd Mercy, he produced 404 victories and six appearances in the D3 NCAA Tournament.
And now, he’s taking his talents to Division II Holy Family University in Northeast Philadelphia to coach their men’s basketball team.
"Really, what it comes down to is, it's about timing your whole life,” he said.
“I mean, I had 22 years and 25 total years at Gwynedd Mercy University, and it was a backdrop for nearly half of my life. And, my children are now young adults and both in college. My daughter's graduating in three weeks, and my son's in Florida, and it was a good time to take a look at this opportunity and see how it could fit into my life, and it ends up fitting very perfectly."
Baron says he is all about developing a very family-oriented culture.
“And I think when we recruit players, we recruit the entire family and entourage of people that are with them,” he said. “And when we start doing that type of stuff, we feel like we do a good job with chemistry, and developing trust on and off the court."
Holy Family went 8-20 last season.