Chuck McBreen:

By Rachel Pinton ’01 |  Spring 2025

For 27 years, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chuck McBreen has been a cornerstone of Ramapo College athletics, leading the Roadrunners to historic success. Since taking the helm in 1998, McBreen has guided the team to seven NJAC regular-season championships, 18 NJAC tournament appearances and five NJAC tournament titles. Under his leadership, the Roadrunners made eight trips to the NCAA Championship Tournament, recording nine seasons with 20 or more wins. He coached a team to the Final Four in 2018, the Sweet 16 in 2015 and the Elite Eight in 2003.

McBreen’s tenure has been filled with record-breaking games, NJAC championships, NCAA hosting opportunities and unforgettable moments—including an ESPN Top 10 buzzer-beating victory. On April 27, 2019, he was inducted into the Ramapo College Athletic Hall of Fame, which recognized his contributions to the Roadrunner Athletics community.

A Legacy Cemented

On Nov. 16, 2024, President Cindy R. Jebb, the Board of Trustees, Vice President Christopher Romano, Athletic Director Jan Koslowsky, staff, students, alumni and community members honored McBreen for his years of coaching, mentorship and leadership. Before tip-off, the Bill Bradley Sports and Recreation Center court was officially named Chuck McBreen Court.

The naming was made possible by establishing an endowment fund led by Wing Lee and contributions from alumni, community members, former players, families and staff that raised $50,000.

Coach Chuck McBreen with his family and (left from right) Trustee George Ruotolo, President Cindy Jebb, Athletic Director Jan Koslowsky, Chair Susan Vallario and Vice President Christopher Romano.

President Jebb shared, “It’s not every day that you name a space on campus. This is an honor that is reserved for individuals who have made an enormous impact on the college and our students, and I can’t think of a better person to honor with this recognition than Coach McBreen. When I think of his contributions, two attributes come to mind: commitment and character.”

“It was a surreal moment when I first heard the news,” McBreen said. “It’s a tremendous honor and very humbling. Coaching at Ramapo for the past 27 years has been a dream.”

Dr. Christopher Romano, vice president for strategic enrollment, outreach and engagement, praised McBreen’s impact on the program.

“We recognize the unparalleled coaching achievements of Chuck McBreen by etching his name on our court and his coaching legacy at Ramapo,” Romano said. “We’re proud to honor his years of service as head men’s basketball coach and his leadership both on and off the court.”

Building a Winning Program

McBreen has amassed more than 455 wins, making Ramapo one of New Jersey’s winningest four-year college basketball programs across Divisions I, II and III over the past two decades. He led teams to the Final Four in 2018, the Sweet 16 in 2015 and the Elite Eight in 2003.

During the 2002-03 season, McBreen’s team set school records for overall wins (26), conference wins (17) and consecutive wins (17). In 2016-17, the Roadrunners reached their highest national ranking, No. 5, according to D3hoops.com.

McBreen has earned multiple coaching honors, including three NJAC Coach of the Year awards, five Met Writers Coach of the Year honors and three Atlantic Region Coach of the Year recognitions. He also received the Presidential Staff Leadership Award.

Under his guidance, numerous student-athletes have been named All-Americans, and several have advanced to professional basketball careers. Beyond the court, McBreen leads by example, serving on NCAA national committees and encouraging his team to engage in community service.

“My goal is to impact the young men in our program and teach them the life skills they need to succeed,” McBreen said. “There is no ‘I’ in team. This journey has been about every player and coach who has been by my side.”

A Career Built on Dedication

Before joining Ramapo, McBreen spent two years as an assistant coach at Division I Western Carolina University. He was also the head boys’ basketball coach at Union Hill High School for four years. He began his coaching career in 1988 as an assistant at North Bergen High School, where he spent three seasons.

A North Bergen native, McBreen graduated from Towson State University in 1988 with degrees in physical education, driver’s education and health.