Mickey McConnell

Biography

Saint Mary’s College Associate Head Coach and former standout Gael Mickey McConnell has been named head men’s basketball coach, announced March 23, 2026 by Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso. McConnell has been an instrumental piece of the program for decades, first as a student-athlete and then as the associate head coach under Randy Bennett. McConnell has helped lead the program to a record five-straight NCAA Tournament appearances as a single-digit seed over that span. McConnell is taking over at the helm for Bennett, who after leading the Gaels for 25 seasons, was announced as the head coach at Arizona State on Monday. “We have known for several years now that Mickey would be the perfect fit to lead our men’s basketball program and continue the success this program has achieved, while beginning a new and exciting era,” Matoso said. “We couldn’t be more thankful and grateful for everything Coach Bennett has done for Saint Mary’s. We have been in coordination with Randy for years on how to continue this success if he were to leave. We have and will continue to fund and support this program at a very high level and provide all the resources for Mickey to succeed in this role.” Since returning to Saint Mary’s in the summer of 2019, McConnell and the Gaels have had a 175-54 (.764) record over that seven-year span. “This is a special place to me and my family and I’m honored to have the support and trust from President Roger Thompson and Athletic Director