Thunderbirds New Head Coach

Jeff Ruland
Height/Weight: 6-10 / 280
Birthdate: December 16, 1958
College: Iona College

Prior to my arrival in Albuquerque there was really not much I knew about it. I grew up in Long Island, New York and went to college close to home at Iona University, the same place I have been coaching for the past nine seasons. One thing about Albuquerque that I do know is some of the great basketball history. My former college coach Jim Valvano won a national title here, at the Pit, with North Carolina State and all I’ve ever heard is great things about the city.

“So when my agent and David Kahn contacted me about the possibility of coaching in Albuquerque, for a D-League team, I was all over it.”

As for coaching in the D-League itself I see it as a completely new challenge, and I’m really excited and expecting the unknown. The one thing I do know is that the players that come here should be focused and will get the experience they need to become NBA caliber players.

The sport of basketball is my life, other than family; I have three wonderful daughters and a beautiful fiancé that will all hopefully make some trips out to Albuquerque this year. I have played and coached in the NBA as well as the NCAA. I took Iona to three NCAA tournaments in nine years including two wins over top 25 programs.

I am very excited about being in Albuquerque; so far everyone has been extremely open and friendly. I am really looking forward to getting out in the community and meeting some new faces, other than that I just hope everyone can make it out to some games this year, because we should have some exciting basketball here starting with training camp.