John Curcio joins Gaels men’s basketball program as assistant coach

Queen’s Gaels men’s basketball head coach Stephan Barrie announced Tuesday, Apr. 9, 2019 that John Curcio will be joining the men’s basketball staff as assistant coach.

“John is a hard-working, energetic, and passionate coach which fits well with the qualities we value in our program,” said head coach Stephan Barrie on bringing Curcio onto his staff. “He knows the landscape of OUA basketball, is a successful recruiter and developer of young men. His influence at Simon Fraser University this past year was a good indicator of just how impactful a coach he is and we are excited for him to get started at Queen’s.”

Curcio comes to the Gaels after spending last season working as the defensive coordinator with Simon Fraser University (SFU) who compete in division two of the NCAA. The team finished with a 9-11 record in 2018-19 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference earning a playoff spot for the first time in school history. Prior to joining SFU, he spent 11 seasons with the Western Mustangs men’s team as an assistant to Bradley Campbell. The Mustangs made back-to-back semi-final appearances at the National Championship in both 2008 and 2009.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the Queen’s Men’s basketball program,” said new assistant coach John Curcio. “To work in a U SPORTS environment that values high performance sport as an integral part of the overall student experience is an opportunity I look forward to. Being part of a perennial playoff team and helping Queen’s basketball take another step towards OUA and U SPORTS championships is a challenge I will embrace.”

Before joining the Mustangs in 2006-07, Curcio served as the head coach of the London-Oakridge high school program where he led the team to three straight AAA Championships.

The Gaels open their 2019-20 OUA season on the road at Nipissing and host Guelph on November 1 in their home opener.