McCarthy, 26, gets first head coaching position

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bob Weiner

Brennan McCarthy is moving up the basketball coaching ladder rather quickly, but based on his pedigree, it’s not surprising that he’s skipping a few rungs.

McCarthy, the 26-year-old son of SUNY-Cobleskill athletic director and former head basketball coach Kevin McCarthy, was named the head basketball coach at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pa., this week. He will also serve as assistant athletic director and head soccer coach.

“It’s always been a mission of mine to be a head basketball coach, and I’m extremely lucky for this opportunity,” said McCarthy, who was the assistant basketball coach and head golf coach at Keuka College last season.

“Northampton College is an up-and-coming program. I’ve known their AD for a while, and I know they will do great things with all their sports. I think it’s a great fit for me and my career.”

McCarthy played basketball at SUNY-Cobleskill when it was still an NJCAA program. He then moved on and played for SUNY-Brockport, where he received his four-year degree.

After graduating, he was named a graduate assistant at Frosburg State University, earning a master’s degree in education, administration and supervision.

McCarthy was a standout basketball and soccer player at Cobleskill-Richmondville, and grew up learning the coaching trade from his father, who was inducted into the NJCAA Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. He also learned a lot about the game from his uncle, Joe, who has been an assistant basketball coach and head golf coach at SUNY-Cobleskill.

“I still talk to my father and my uncle quite a bit, and I text them all the time,” McCarthy said. “They’ve been there for me, and they’ve been great support. I’m sure they will continue to be there for me.”

At Northampton, McCarthy will also be the director for internal operations, where he will oversee the facilities, operations and events unit, the equipment room and summer camps.

“We are absolutely thrilled to get Brennan on staff,” said Northampton athletic director Troy Tucker in a press release. “I think he brings the complete package in terms of work ethic, understanding the dynamics of the two-year level, experience at the four-year level and a strong background in recruiting. He is a rising star in our industry.”

McCarthy acknowledged that Northampton is an extremely competitive region, and that he will have his work cut out for him.

“I’m going out to do a lot of recruiting. That’s what I do best, along with bringing plenty of energy and enthusiasm,” McCarthy said. “Hopefully, I can recruit the best athletes in the region. I do have some great experience playing for my father and my uncle, and you can’t trade anything for that. I was on a final four

NJCAA team with them.

“At 26, I’m probably one of the youngest coaches in the country,” he said. “But I’ve got some good experience, and I know Troy Tucker believes in me.”