Jun 20, 2014 07:44 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Rhode Island College has chosen Michael Byrnes as the new Men's Basketball Head Coach. Byrnes replaces Bob Walsh, who stepped down after nine seasons.

Byrnes is very excited and proud to be part of the Rhode Island College family.

"I will challenge our student-athletes day in and day out to be champions on and off the floor," Byrnes said in a statement.

Byrnes joins Anchormen basketball program after serving four seasons as an Assistant Coach at the Robert Morris University. Under his leadership, Colonials made an appearance in the NEC Tournament championship game each season.

In 2012-13, Byrnes guided Robert Morris to an overall record of 24-11 (.686) and its 10th NEC regular-season championship. The Colonials secured an automatic bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

His coaching experience of 16 years includes stints at the prep school level and Winchendon School in Winchendon, Mass (14 seasons). During his time as a head coach at the prep level, Byrnes earned two New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) championships and sent over 100 players to Div. I institutions including Louisville, Villanova, Providence, Robert Morris, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.

"Michael has been involved in basketball at both the prep and collegiate level for over 20 years, and his success at the prep level speaks for itself," Robert Morris Head Coach Andrew Toole said. "The players he's produced, the contacts he's made and the experience he's gained in the prep school ranks made him a natural fit to join our staff at Robert Morris to help take our program to even greater heights."

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