Delco native Martin Ingelsby builds on Delaware Blue Hens’ 1st NCAA hoops bid in 8 years

The coach grew up around basketball, as his dad played at Villanova
University of Delaware Blue Hens men's head basketball coach Martin Ingelsby.
University of Delaware Blue Hens men's head basketball coach Martin Ingelsby. Photo credit Holli Stephens/KYW Newsradio

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Martin Ingelsby is preparing for his seventh season as the head coach of men's basketball at the University of Delaware.

The Delaware County native’s sixth season was his most successful to date with the Blue Hens, as he led them to a Colonial Athletic Association title, a 2022 NCAA Tournament appearance — the program's first since 2014 — and a matchup against his father's alma mater, Villanova.

“How do we capitalize on that success and that momentum? We had to target, from a recruiting standpoint, what we needed in the transfer portal,” Ingelsby said during his conversation with KYW Newsradio’s Matt Leon.

“We lost one of our guys (forward Andrew Carr) to Wake Forest, but [then] we added three really good transfers that we're excited about.”

Delaware brought in guard Christian Ray, guard L.J. Owens and forward Nigel Shadd via the transfer portal.

Head coach Martin Ingelsby of the Delaware Blue Hens reacts during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Head coach Martin Ingelsby of the Delaware Blue Hens reacts during the second half against the Villanova Wildcats in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo credit Rob Carr/Getty Images

Ingelsby was born in Media and grew up with a basketball in his hand. His father Tom played with the Villanova Wildcats, was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, and also played with the ABA’s St. Louis Spirits and San Diego Sails.

“I was always around the game of basketball,” he said about his hoops-filled childhood.

"[We] went to watch Villanova basketball games when I was younger, and I think that was something that I cherished with my dad as an alum, but really got me into the game of basketball and I’ve just always been around it.”

Martin Ingelsby of Notre Dame recovers the loose ball as Lionel Chalmers of Xavier defends during the first round of the 2011 NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri.
Martin Ingelsby of Notre Dame recovers the loose ball as Lionel Chalmers of Xavier defends during the first round of the 2001 NCAA Men's College Basketball Championship at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. Photo credit Elsa/ALLSPORT

Matt talked with Ingelsby about his playing days at Archbishop Carroll High School and the University of Notre Dame, how he got into coaching, and much more.

Listen below in your podcast player.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Holli Stephens/KYW Newsradio