Three days after its much-criticized firing of Tobin Anderson, Iona hired top choice Dan Geriot off the bench of the New Orleans Pelicans. Geriot, 36, spent the past 10 years as an NBA assistant and — just as significantly — is expected to bring the financial connections that would help boost Iona’s NIL revenue pot .

The 36-year-old Geriot was in his 10th season as an NBA assistant, nine years with the Cleveland Cavaliers and one with the Pelicans.

Geriot replaced Tobin Anderson, who led Iona to a 33-34 record over two seasons after taking the Gaels over from Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, who left to coach St. John's. Under Anderson, Iona reached the MAAC championship game on March 15, losing to Mount St. Mary's.