B.J. Dunne - MIT Men's Basketball Head Coach - Episode 1196

B. J. Dunne is in his first year as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at MIT. He spent the past seven years at Gettysburg College, where he put together an 89-68 overall record (.567) and saw his teams advance to four straight Centennial Conference semifinals over the past four seasons. In 2024-25, he helped guide Gettysburg to the program's first 20-win season since 2007-08 and its highest national ranking in program history at No. 8, as the Bullets earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, advancing to the second round before falling to top-seeded Wesleyan (Conn.) in the second round.

Prior to Gettysburg, Dunne guided the Vassar College men’s basketball program for five seasons. In his first season as head coach, Dunne became the youngest head coach in the NCAA at all levels at the time, and in 2016, he was one of two Division III Coaches named to the Under Armour 30-Under-30 Team.

Before his time at Vassar, Dunne spent a year as the men’s basketball top assistant coach at Emerson College in 2011-12 under Jim O’Brien, the former head coach at Ohio State University. He was also an assistant coach at Babson College in 2010-11.

Dunne is a 2010 graduate from Bates College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. He was a three-year letter winner and served as a student-assistant coach as a senior for the Bobcats.

On this episode Mike and B.J. discuss the standards and expectations that Dunne seeks to establish both on and off the court in his first season at MIT, emphasizing the importance of fostering a cohesive team culture. Moreover, we explore the complexities of transitioning from a successful tenure at Gettysburg College to a prestigious institution such as MIT, highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges associated with such a significant career move. Dunne shares his vision of cultivating an elite basketball program that mirrors the academic excellence synonymous with MIT, while also addressing the need for adaptability in coaching style and strategy. Ultimately, this episode provides a profound insight into the journey of rebuilding a program, underscoring the values of commitment, resilience, and community that are integral when taking over a new program.

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