Wagner’s Bashir Mason Moves On To Saint Peter’s

Bashir Mason has a tremendous coaching resume, but it is missing one line. He will attempt to add it at a program that was one win away from reaching the NCAA Final Four.

Mason, who has turned Wagner College in Staten Island into the most consistent program in the Northeast Conference during his 10-year tenure there, will make a short trip across state lines back to his hometown of Jersey City to take over as head coach of Saint Peter’s. Mason has reached an agreement in principle with Saint Peter’s, a source said.

Mason’s hiring marks the first time in the history of the program that a head coach with previous Division 1 head-coaching experience has been named. He is expected to be formally introduced Wednesday at a news conference at Saint Peter’s.

Mason replaces Shaheen Holloway, who guided the 15th-seeded Peacocks to an unprecedented Elite Eight appearance before taking the head coach position at Seton Hall, his alma mater.

Mason compiled a 165-130 record in 10 seasons at Wagner and was 111-67 in NEC games. The Seahawks won three NEC regular-season titles during his tenure, in 2016, 2018 and 2021, plus three second-place finishes.

However, after each of those regular-season titles, Mason’s Wagner teams were tripped up by the cruel math of the one-bid low- and mid-major conferences, losing each time in the NEC tournament.

The heartbreak was somewhat similar this season, as the Seahawks were in first place most of the season but lost the final two games of the regular season to finish in second place. Wagner was hampered by the loss of star guard Elijah Ford to a knee injury.

Bryant edged out Wagner for first place, and routed the visiting Seahawks in the NEC tournament final.

Now Mason must turn his attention to retention, as he tries to prevent the members of the Peacocks’ roster from flying away.

Mustachioed three-point specialist Doug Edert already has committed, coincidentally, to Bryant. But guards Daryl Banks and Matt Lee and forwards Hassan Drame and Fousseyni Drame are in the transfer portal, and it’s unclear if star forward KC Ndefo might join them.

Holloway had endorsed assistant coach Ryan Whalen for the job, and Whalen interviewed last week, a source said. Now, it’s possible he could join Holloway at Seton Hall. The Pirates should be able to finalize their staff now that Saint Peter’s has made a decision on Holloway’s successor.

Of course, Wagner must now conduct a search for a coach.