Martelli was introduced as the new VCU men’s basketball coach in a campus press conference on Thursday after guiding Bryant to March Madness

The Rams introduced Martelli, the son of a longtime St. Joseph’s coach, as the latest in what has been an impressive string of successful hires by athletic director Ed McLaughlin. McLaughlin took over his position in 2012 and, three years later, replaced Shaka Smart with Will Wade, then Wade with Mike Rhoades and then Rhoades with Ryan Odom.

VCU filled its coaching vacancy with the hiring of Bryant coach Phil Martelli Jr. on Wednesday. Martelli went 43-25 in two seasons at Bryant and guided the Bulldogs into the NCAA Tournament this season.