Men’s basketball coach Kadlubowski retires, Duffy takes the reins
Photo by Lee Ferris
In a matter of weeks, the men’s basketball program underwent a massive change: In late March 2026, Ryan Kadlubowski announced his retirement from college athletics after 17 historic seasons at the helm of the program. And in May, Mike Duffy, a rising coaching talent, was named the sixth head coach in program history.
Coach Kad’s legacy
Kadlubowski leaves as the winningest conference coach in the college’s history, ranking first all-time in conference wins with 140, and second all-time in career victories with 186.
Under his leadership, the Knights were a threat in the postseason, securing eight Skyline Conference tournament appearances, four ECAC Tournament berths, and capturing the 2012 ECAC Metro Championship. His most decorated campaign came during that 2011–12 season, when he guided the Knights to a school-record 23-7 mark.
“It has been my honor and privilege to have led this basketball program for the past 17 years, but the time is right for me to step down,” Kadlubowski said. “You must sacrifice a lot of time and events in your own personal life as a college head coach, putting the needs of the program and its players first and foremost. I did this to the very best of my ability, and with all of my heart, for the entire 23 years I have been a college coach.”
His dedication didn’t just yield wins; it earned him the respect of his peers, who voted him Skyline Coach of the Year in both 2011 and 2014. Along the way, he developed 15 All-Conference selections and eight 1,000-point scorers.
“You never really leave a place you love,” he said. “Part of it you take with you, leaving a part of yourself behind. I loved my time as the head men’s basketball coach at Mount Saint Mary College, and I will cherish all of the lifetime relationships and memories that have been created.”
Enter Mike Duffy
Samantha Howe, director of Athletics was proud to announce right before Commencement that the department found Kadlubowski’s replacement: Coach Mike Duffy.
“His values and approach align with the culture we continue to build within our men’s basketball program and the Mount Athletics community,” Howe said. “We are thrilled to add Mike to our staff and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes, program, and campus community.”
Duffy arrives in Newburgh with a history of engineering historic turnarounds and championship runs in the region. He spent the last five seasons as the lead assistant men’s basketball coach at SUNY New Paltz, where he was the right-hand man during the most successful stretch in the Hawks’ history.
During the 2023-24 season, Duffy helped spark New Paltz to a school-record 20-8 finish. That culminated in the program’s first-ever SUNYAC Championship, which they clinched with a stunning road upset over nationally fifth-ranked Oswego State. They followed that up in 2024-25 by securing the number one seed in the conference tournament and hosting the postseason for the first time in school history.
Duffy holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from New York University (2016) and a Master of Science in Sport Leadership and Coaching from Western New England University (2020).
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Men’s Basketball program at Mount Saint Mary College,” Duffy said. “Throughout this process, it was clear how connected and supportive the Mount community and Athletic Department are. I’m excited to build meaningful relationships with our student-athletes and work every day to continue building a championship-caliber program that represents the Mount with pride, character, and purpose.”
