KEENE, N.H.--The Keene State College Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce that David Hastings will serve as acting head men's basketball coach for the 2023-24 season.

Hastings has been on the Owls' coaching staff since the 2016-17 season and has served as associate head coach since 2018. During his tenure, the Owls advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division III Championship in 2017, the second round in 2022, and the Sweet 16 in 2023. 

KSC also qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2019 and captured Little East Conference (LEC) regular-season championships in 2019 and 2023 and LEC tournament championships in 2019, 2022, and 2023 with Hastings on the bench.

"I am blessed for the opportunity to continue to work together with this group of young student athletes that I have helped recruit to represent Keene State College," said Hastings.   "I look forward to getting the season underway in October."

Hastings is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, having served as a sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army. He also served as the Chief of Police for the town of Gill, Mass., as well as head coach of the boys' basketball team at Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield, Mass. In 1997, he founded The Edge Basketball Club, a nonprofit AAU program in the Pioneer Valley for female and male players ages 10-17.

"Dave is the logical choice to take over for Coach Cain as we head into the 2023-24 season," said Abe Osheyack, Assistant Athletic Director.   "The leadership team and myself look forward to working with him to continue to recent success of the KSC men's basketball program."

Hastings takes over for Ryan Cain, who recently accepted the head men's basketball coaching position at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Hastings becomes the 15th coach in Keene State history, but just the third since 1999.

The Owls open their season November 11 when they entertain Western New England University in Spaulding Gym.