Apr 26, 2014 04:41 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Dan D'Antoni, an assistant with the Lakers since 2005, has been hired as the new men's basketball coach at Marshall University.

The 1970 Marshall graduate succeeds Tom Herrion, who stepped down in March following successive seasons with 11-22 and 13-19 records. Thundering Herd faced 41 loses in the past two seasons.

"We look forward to welcoming back a true Son of Marshall at tomorrow afternoon's press conference," Marshall Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick tweeted.

D'Antoni, 66, has served as the NBA assistant coach for the past nine seasons including Phoenix Suns (from 2005-06 through 2007-08), four seasons on the New York Knicks' staff and as an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers for the past two seasons.

"Danny has been invaluable in the development of players at the high school and professional level. If you have the desire he will get everything out of you. He is a great coach. Players love playing for him and the style will be fun to watch. The Henderson Center will be rocking with excitement," Mike D'Antoni, Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach, said in a statement.

As a college athlete, D'Antoni played four seasons with the Thundering Herd, scoring 17.5 points per game in 1968-69. He was the starting point guard on National Invitation Tournament teams of 1967 and 1968.

Besides NBA, he coached freshman team at Marshall in 1970 before being hired at Socastee High in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for 30 years.

Marshall athletic department bought out the remaining two year contract of Herrion on March 14. Herrion guided Thundering Herd for the past four seasons.

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