Columbia University has announced that Jim Engles, the head coach of the men’s basketball team, is stepping down from his position. This decision comes promptly after a challenging season for the Lions, who ended their Ivy League campaign with a 1-13 record. Despite a strong start with eight consecutive nonconference victories, the team concluded with a 12-15 record, marking the eighth year of consecutive losing seasons under Engles’ leadership.
In his statement, Engles reflected on his tenure and expressed deep appreciation for his time at Columbia. “Columbia has always held significant meaning for me, and I have devoted myself wholly to enhancing this program,” he conveyed. “While we might not have reached our ultimate goals, I take pride in the culture we have fostered and the development of our student-athletes both on the court and beyond. I am grateful for Peter Pilling’s support during my time here and remain optimistic about the program’s future prospects.”
Under Engles’ predecessor, Kyle Smith, the Lions had a triumphant run and secured victory in the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament in 2016. Nevertheless, Columbia has struggled to maintain that success. Since 2017, when the Ivy League introduced a conference tournament for the top four teams, the Lions remain the only men’s program that has yet to qualify.
Peter Pilling, Columbia’s athletic director, acknowledged Engles’ contributions, stating, “We are thankful for Jim’s leadership throughout his tenure at Columbia. Above all, Jim is an excellent individual who has devoted significant effort towards achieving success here. We extend our best wishes to Jim and his family in their future endeavors.”
