Ted Fiore to retire after 16 years as Montclair State's head coach

Published Oct. 2, 2014 7:14 p.m. ET

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Ted Fiore is stepping down as Montclair State basketball coach effective Oct.14.

The university announced the move Thursday, saying assistant coach Daren Rowe will take over as interim coach. Rowe served as acting head coach for the 2012-13 season when Fiore had knee replacement surgery.

Fiore, who led St. Peter's to two NCAA tournament berths in the 1990s, has led the Red Hawks for the past 16 seasons. He posted a 233-149, the second highest win total at the school behind Ollie Gelston (303).

Fiore coached 26 seasons overall and had a record of 384-259, taking his team to the postseason nine times.

Before he came to Montclair State, Fiore was at St. Peter's College in Jersey City, where he ran the Peacocks' program from 1986-95. He compiled a 151-110 mark, placing himself second on the school's all-time list for coaching victories. The Peacocks went to the NCAA tournament in 1991 and '95.

''Retiring is a difficult decision, but made even more difficult when leaving a wonderful working environment,'' Fiore said. ''I want to thank all the people -- administration, staff and student athletes, who have made coaching at Montclair State a pleasurable experience. I wish my successor the best, and hope their experience is as rich and pleasurable as mine was.''