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Greg Herenda, an assistant men’s basketball coach at UMass Lowell from 1983 to 1985, has been named the River Hawks new head men’s basketball coach, according to Athletics Director Dana Skinner.

Herenda, who spent the last year as head coach at Division III Cabrini College in Padnor, Pa., brings more than 20 years experience at all NCAA levels to the program. He succeeds Ken Barer, who resigned recently after seven seasons.

Herenda’s year at Cabrini followed one year as head coach at Elgin Community College in Elgin, Ill., and five years as the associate head coach at East Carolina University. He also served as an assistant at Yale, Seton Hall and Holy Cross following a four-year period at his alma mater Merrimack.

During his two years with the (then) Chiefs, Herenda played a large role in recruiting the ULowell team that won the 1988 NCAA Division II Championship.

“Greg brings a breadth of experience and a reputation for building lasting relationships that will be beneficial as we attempt to strengthen the program and broaden its appeal to prospective student-athletes, alumni, and members of the Merrimack Valley basketball community,” says Skinner. “He’s come full circle, having started his career at Lowell, and we’re pleased to have him back as our head coach.”

Herenda inherits a squad that finished 12-17 overall and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NE-10 Tournament with a 70-69 upset at Merrimack.

Among the many highlights in his coaching career, Herenda helped lead Holy Cross to great success from 1989 to 1994. The 1992-93 Crusader squad posted a record of 23-7 (12-2 conference) and captured the Patriot League Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Herenda and his wife, Jillene, have one son, Trey.