John Lamanna serves as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Whitman College, where he has built a decorated stretch in program history. In five years of postseason eligibility (following an initial shortened season due to COVID-19) Lamanna’s leadership has driven exceptional success on both team and individual levels.
Coaching & Program Accomplishments at Whitman
- Back-to-Back Championships: Led the Blues to consecutive Northwest Conference (NWC) Championships in 2022–23 and 2023–24, becoming only the second team in Whitman history to achieve back-to-back conference titles. These victories account for two of the program’s 17 total conference titles.
- Multi-Time Coach of the Year: Named Northwest Conference Coach of the Year twice. He is just the fifth coach in Whitman history to earn the award and only the second to win it multiple times.
- Elite Player Development:
- Recruited and developed 1 NWC MVP (one of only six in school history).
- Coached 2 NWC Defensive Players of the Year (the only two in school history).
- Developed 3 All-Region Players (out of seven in school history).
- Recruited and mentored 2 Top-10 All-Time Scoring Leaders in program history.
- Developed 4 First Team All-Conference players (among 18 total in school history).
Biography
John Lamanna came to Whitman College with an extensive background in collegiate basketball coaching, program building, and national leadership across multiple divisions. Known for his emphasis on player development, academic excellence, and competitive drive, Lamanna has transformed the Blues into a consistent regional powerhouse.
Prior to his arrival at Whitman, Lamanna compiled a strong track record of success at both the Division III and NAIA levels. He previously served as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Ave Maria University, where he led the Gyrenes to a Sun Conference Championship, an NAIA National Tournament appearance, and earned Sun Conference Coach of the Year honors. His coaching journey also includes positions at Franciscan University, University of California Davis and Loyola Marymount University.
USA Basketball & National Leadership
Beyond collegiate coaching, Lamanna has established a prominent presence on the national basketball stage:
- NABC & Reese's All-Star Game: Since 2005, Lamanna has served as the Director of the Reese's NCAA Division I College Basketball All-Star Game, held annually at the Final Four site on the Friday before the National Championship game.
- USA Basketball: He has worked closely as a court coach and event staff member for USA Basketball during various national team trials and developmental camps, supporting the preparation of top-tier national talent.
Publications & Media Features
In addition to his coaching, Lamanna is a published author and contributor to basketball coaching literature:
- Published an article in Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director Magazine focusing on creating an academic success game plan.
- Published an article in Winning Hoops focusing on defensive tactical analysis.
- Featured in American Basketball Quarterly Magazine for an article examining how advanced scouting and technology integration lead to on-court success.
Lamanna holds a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Washington State University, where he served as a student assistant under legendary coaches Dick and Tony Bennett, and a master's degree in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University. Beyond the court, he remains deeply committed to fostering leadership, character, and academic achievement in student-athletes. He and his wife, Sara, have three children: Gabi, Tony, and Louie.
