Mike Farrelly enters his third year as Director of Hoop Group ELITE. He made previous coaching stops at Wilkes University and Saint Joseph’s University. Farrelly played collegiately at Saint Joe’s from 2000-2003, where he played with current NBA players Jameer Nelson and Delonte West. The Hawks made two NCAA tournament appearances and also were regular-season Atlantic 10 champions twice in his time on Hawk Hill.
Joe Gallo enters his first year at The Hoop Group as the Asst Director of Hoop Group Elite.
Prior to the Hoop Group, Gallo spent 4 seasons as an assistant coach at D2 Merrimack College MA of the NE 10 Conference. He was involved in all aspects of the program at Merrimack including on court coaching, player development, academic advisement, opponent scouting, and recruiting. In his last two years Gallo helped guide Merrimack to back to back NCAA tournament appearances. Gallo possesses a business Management degree from MerrimackCollege where he was also a member of the Men’s Basketball team.
Chris is entering his 4th year at the Hoop Group. This is his 3rd year as Hoop Group Skills Director and he previously served as the Assistant Hoop Group Elite Director for a year as well. Prior to his time at the Hoop Group, Chris was an Assistant Coach at Hargrave Military Academy where he coached over 50 Division 1 players, 3 current NBA players & 2 McDonald All-Americans. He also won the 2004 National Prep school championship while at Hargrave. Before his stint at Hargrave, Chris was an Assistant Coach at the Division 3 level for three years. Chris currently lives in Bradley Beach.
Kevin Driscoll joined the Hoop Group staff in the summer of 2009. Prior to joining the Hoop Group, Kevin was an assistant men’s basketball coach at Albright College in Reading, PA. During his time at Albright, the Lions made the playoffs two out of the three years. Before joining the staff at Albright, Driscoll was a head coach at Hamburg Area High School, his alma mater. At the time he was hired he was the youngest head coach in the P.I.A.A. at 22 years old. In two years, Driscoll took the team from two to twelve wins and made an appearance in the District 3 playoffs. Driscoll, a 2004 graduate of Misericordia University is a four year letterman whose teams made 4 consecutive playoff appearances.
Brad is entering his 5th year working for the Hoop Group. Brad’s main responsibilities with the HG includes running day to day operations of The HG office, managing the company’s database/financial department & providing daily assistance to the President. He spent his previous four years as the head Mgr for Rutgers Men’s Basketball team, while also obtaining his BS in Sports Management. As head manager, Brad supervised a team of ten student managers, attended every practice, participated in game day activities, and assisted coaches with a multitude of tasks. Brad also has weekly college basketball projections he calls “Facts & Bracks” and has uncanny knowledge about the college game. Brad, an avid New York Yankees fan, currently resides in Bradley Beach.
Stephen Ott begins his second year as director of Team Events at the Hoop Group. Prior to arriving at the Hoop Group, Ott spent two years as the Director of Basketball Operations at Siena College where he was part of a MAAC Championship and a first round NCAA tournament win. Prior to Siena, Ott was an assistant coach at Ulster Community College and a four year starter at New Paltz College. Steve currently lives in Spring Lake.
Joe Stein is entering his 3rd year as Team Events Director @ Hoop Group Headquarters and NJ ShoreShots Director for The HG. Stein’s responsibilities include putting together all leagues and tournaments at HG Headquarters and running the entire NJ ShoreShots AAU Program. Joe was a 2000 graduate of Holmdel HS, where he was apart of two Public School State Titles in 1998-99. He then went on to obtain his BS in Communications at Monmouth and is also currently working on a MS at Monmouth. Stein coached the Central Jersey Hawks to 3 consecutive state title runner up’s in 2004-06. He also coached the NJ ShoreShots to over 100 wins (with the class of 2009) in two seasons, including a 2nd place finish at the Reebok Summer Classic East and a title at the West Virginia Jam Fest in 2008. Stein currently resides in Long Branch.
A former associate head coach at Division I schools Fairleigh Dickinson, Hofstra, and St. Bonaventure. Ellonya has coached numerous players selected by the NBA and European leagues. He has coached in 7 NCAA tournaments. Ellonya achieved All-American status as a player at Upsala College.
Dan enters his 2nd year as the Facility Director of Hoop Group Headquarters. A 2008 Seton Hall graduate and public relations major, Dan has worked with the Seton Hall Men’s team for a total of 10 years, 4 years as a team Mgr and the 6 previous years as a ball-boy. As a Mgr, Dan attended all practices, was engaged in all game day activities, and assisted coaches in other duties behind the scenes. He also traveled with the team to away contests. Dan has also assisted in the operations at the 1999, 2004 & 2007 NCAA East Regional’s and Jimmy V Classic over the years at the Meadowlands. Dan has also contributed time in working with the St. Andrews CYO team out of his hometown of Clifton, NJ.arters @ Hoop Group Headquarters
Jon is beginning his first year with the Hoop Group. He is a 2005 graduate of Monmouth University, earning a degree in history and education. His coaching career began when he was 18-years-old. In his first year out of his Alma Mater, Middletown South HS he returned where he coached the Eagles’ freshman team to 17 wins, matching their most victories ever in a season. Jon then moved on to Metuchen HS as an assistant varsity coach. He helped guide them to three consecutive winning seasons, compiling a 54-22 record that included two state runner up finishes and a banner 22-3 record in 2005-06. He then moved on to Towson University for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons where he served as the Video Coordinator, and as the Coordinator of Operations the following year when the Tigers advanced to the semi-finals of the CAAC tournament.
A former college assistant coach in the state at both Kean University and Middlesex County College, Jay started NJ Hoops 15 years ago. NJ Hoops covers NJ High School and College basketball with passion and depth through NJHoops.com, NJ Hoops Newsletter and NJ Hoops Recruiting Report (for College Coaches). Jay is the nominating source for NJ for the prestigious McDonald's All American Game and has been featured on ESPN, CN8, and News 12 NJ, USA Today, NY Times, Basketball America, Eastern Basketball, Star-Ledger, Philadelphia Inquirer and many more media outlets, Jay also supports the Hoop Group in their exposure events and tournaments throughout the east.
