April 26, 2006

Izzi Metz '98

GENEVA, N.Y.—Hobart Director of Athletics Mike Hanna ’68 recently announced the appointment of Izzi Metz ’98 to serve as the head coach of the basketball team. Metz returns to his alma mater after five very successful seasons as an assistant coach at Cornell University.

“I’m excited about the future of Hobart basketball and confident in the leadership, energy, character, and teamwork that Izzi Metz brings to our basketball program, to our campus, and to the community of Geneva,” Hanna said. “As an assistant coach, Izzi was a key factor in the best season in Hobart basketball history and at Cornell he has clearly established his effectiveness as a teacher, as a recruiter, and as a mentor of young men. In my mind, Izzi Metz defines the term “Statesman” and our athletics staff joins me in welcoming him home.”

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” Metz said. “It’s been a dream of mine for a very long time to be a head coach. I’m ready to run with it.”

With the Big Red, Metz has been involved in all aspects of the program, from recruiting to planning and executing practices, to film break down and scouting, as well as serving as the head coach of the Cornell junior varsity basketball team. During his first four seasons in Ithaca, the Big Red improved from 5-22 to 13-14. During the 2005-06 season, Cornell posted a 13-15 overall record, including a second consecutive winning season in the Ivy League (8-6), a feat the program had not accomplished since 1986-87 and ’87-88 seasons.

“What is most striking about Coach Metz is his uncanny ability to analyze a situation and develop an effective plan for success,” Cornell Head Coach Steve Donahue said. “He never compromises his values and remains committed to the development of young men, both as individuals and as basketball players.”

Metz joined the Big Red following one season as an assistant coach at Hobart. That season, he was the top assistant for the Statesmen’s most successful season. The 2000-01 Hobart squad produced a school record 20 wins against just eight losses, tied for first in the Liberty League, won the conference’s tournament championship, and earned the program’s first NCAA Tournament bid.

“I think we can do some great things at Hobart. The Liberty League is an outstanding basketball conference and our plan is to be highly competitive on a consistent basis. My goal for our student-athletes is for them to have the best experience possible as a member of the Hobart basketball family.”

As a student at Hobart, Metz was twice named to the Dean’s List, in addition to playing basketball for the Statesmen. He graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Following graduation, Metz returned to his native Los Angeles, where he was a member of the Bishop Montgomery High School coaching staff. Metz helped guide Bishop Montgomery to the CIF Division 3 State and Southern Section Championships in 2000. He also coached the Los Angeles Rockfish, a high school all-star team.

Additionally, Metz has extensive experience as a camp clinician, working at the UCLA Basketball Camp, the Eastern Invitational Basketball Camp, the Pocono Invitational Basketball Camp, and the Massachusetts Special Olympics.

“I look forward to coming back to my alma mater, a place I have a real passion for,” Metz said. “I’m excited to get to work.

“I’d also like to thank everyone at Cornell, especially Head Coach Steve Donahue, for their guidance, leadership, and friendship over the past five years. I’ve learned a ton from them.”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH IZZI METZ

“Coach Metz brings a tremendous energy and enthusiasm for coaching. He has a great way of looking at things on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. I’ve asked him to really focus on the defense, and I think that was a large reason we finished second in the Ivy League in field goal percentage defense last year and was one of the reasons we did such a great job rebounding and defending and leading the league in steals. He has a great feel for the X’s and O’s, as well as tremendous interpersonal skills that guys on the team can relate to.”
—Cornell Head Coach Steve Donahue
2005-06 Cornell Basketball Media Guide

“Izzi is one of the hardest working coaches in the business. He does whatever it takes to be successful.”
—Columbia Head Coach James Jones

“Izzi was instrumental in Cornell’s rise to the top of our league. He’s as well respected as any assistant coach in the Ivy League. I know he’s going to do a great job at Hobart.”
—Yale Head Coach Joe Jones