Cluess Resigns As Iona Coach Due To Health Reasons

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Iona basketball coach Tim Cluess is stepping down due to health reasons, the school announced Friday.

Cluess 61, led the Gaels to six NCAA tournament appearances in his nine seasons on the bench at the New Rochelle school. He missed the entire 2019-20 season with an undisclosed illness. 

Cluess leaves the program with a 199-108 record. He will continue to work for Iona in an advisory role.

"I want to sincerely thank the Iona College community and administration for the opportunity to be a part of Gael Nation for the past ten years," Cluess said in a news release. "I appreciate the concern and care that the Iona Community, in particular Dr. (Seamus) Carey (Iona's president), has demonstrated for me and my family over the past few months as I have been dealing with a complicated health issue that kept me from coaching."

Iona coach Tim Cluess looks on during the practice day before the first round of the 2018 NCAA tournament on March 14, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Images

Under Cluess, Iona won five Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament championships and four regular season titles. He was twice voted the league's Coach of the Year. The Gaels were coming off four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances heading into this season.

"We're extremely proud of Tim Cluess and how he represented our program over the last ten years," said Iona athletic director Matthew Glovaski. "He elevated Iona men's basketball and put us into the national spotlight on an annual basis. I want to recognize Coach's resilience in dealing with a complicated health situation that kept him off the court this last season. We will continue to support Tim and his family as he manages his health matter and are very happy he will continue to contribute in an advisory role and remain an important part of the Iona family."

Prior to his time at Iona, Cluess served as head coach at LIU Post from 2006-2010, where he took the team to the Elite Eight in the 2009 NCAA Division II tournament.

With Tra Arnold serving as acting head coach, Iona went 12-17 this season, and 9-11 in the MAAC. The Gaels were eliminated by Saint Peter's in the second round of the MAAC tournament Wednesday -- an event that was canceled before a champion was crowned due to coronavirus concerns.