The Higlanders Go Higher
A Conversation with NJIT Coach Jim Casciano
Savannah State. North Dakota State. UC Davis. These are just a few schools to make the jump to Division I, albeit without conference affiliation, after years of at least moderate success at the Division II level. The ascension is never easy. Often in its first few seasons, the newcomer program serves as a sacrificial road show, and not necessarily to the elite of Division I competition. Schedules for these newbies are filled with non-winning mid-major programs looking for an early season gimme before heading to Hawaii or Puerto Rico, where they’ll get blown out by a bigger program.
Newark, New Jersey-based NJIT, or the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is one such school that made the leap of faith. And faith is the operative word. According to head coach Jim Casciano, who was won at every other level below D-I, this transition is a progressive one. Every play for the Highlanders is a learning experience. Every game an opportunity that not many young players get.
In this edition of Conversations with Adam, I talk to Coach Casciano about the school’s decision to go D-I, how his team has handled the move, and the pros and cons of beating two MAAC schools early in the season.
Adam Shandler: Why did NJIT decide to go Division I?
Jim Casciano: Overall it was a university decision to have the best of both worlds. We already had an excellent reputation as an academic institution so we wanted to have the athletics to match. When you’re a school looking for more notoriety and publicity, you want to get your name out there as much as possible. Sometimes the best way to do that is with athletics.
AS: Has the move been everything you expected?
JC: It’s been a helluva ride. The experience has not been easy. We are learning every day in practice and we’re learning with every game. All the traveling has been a big adjustment, but to be in arenas to play teams like St. John’s and Siena with great traditions – it’s been very exciting. Our wins haven’t been plentiful but we’re learning every day.
AS: How did your players react to the announcement of going D-I?
JC: Each of them would say he was excited about it but very anxious. Every kid wants to play Division I basketball but not everyone gets that chance. So they were legitimately excited, but they knew there was going to be a lot of uncertainty as to how we fared.
AS: You started out the season with two big wins against MAAC schools Manhattan and Rider. After those wins did you think that this transition might be easier than expected?
JC: As a coach, no. Possibly the players bought into that and they might have thought “this wasn’t going to be as difficult as the coaches tell us.” And the non-player or the fan might have also thought it was going to be easier. But I would never give those wins back. It was great for us to win our first-ever Division I game and then win our first game at home. Because of those wins, now nobody looks past us. After those games we went into Columbia and it would have been easy for a team like that to disrespect us. Now teams come ready to play us.
AS: How has the bump to D-I changed your job as a coach?
JC: I’m not really sure it’s changed at all. As a coach I’ve always prided myself on being prepared. No matter what level you coach on you still need your players to stay focused. After a loss I have to tell them what to expect next, what our minimum goals are. What are the psychological X’s and O’s?
Maybe I’ve been making more adjustments with the types of teams we’re facing. When you play teams from the A-10, the Ivy and the Patriot League, the coaching’s real good, so I’ve been finding he best ways for us to match up.
AS: Speaking of conferences, does the school want to seek conference affiliation?
JC: That is definitely a priority. Our president and athletic director are going to explore opportunities to join leagues like the America East, or the Patriot or the Northeast Conference, with schools that have a strong reputation academically but also make sense for us geographically. Playing in Division I, it would certainly make it more comfortable for us to be in a conference.
AS: So, are you having fun yet?
JC: Funny you should ask that. I’m always asking my players that. When we were down by four at the half to St. John’s, I asked that same question to them, “Are you having fun yet?” And you could see it on their faces and in their body language. We’re enjoying the journey and I told them to learn and embrace everything about this, because there’s never going to be a first [D-I NJIT] team again.
I’ve been having fun. For me this is the fulfillment of a career. I’ve coached at every level but Division I. There are a lot of unknowns and it’s all going to take time to figure it all out.
As of this writing, the Highlanders improved to 4-18 with a 67-62 win over South Dakota State on Thursday, February 8. Clayton Barker netted 27 points, 19 in the second half. Jim Casciano’s club takes on North Dakota State on Saturday, February 10.
