RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Assistant Coach Phyllis Mangina has joined Vulin's staff after one year in Brooklyn as the Associate Head Coach of the Terriers. She is a new addition to the women's basketball team and has had much experience as a coach and player. “Coaching has been part of my life for so long and has impacted every facet of my life... family, friends. I have had so many incredible opportunities and experiences," said Mangina. "I love every aspect, but most of all, being in a gym working with young people. To this day, I still get chills just before a game sitting on the bench waiting for tip-off. ”
Mangina played for Seton Hall University and was also Seton Hall's head coach for 25 years. Mangina names Sue Regan, her former head coach at Seton Hall, as one of two people that have impacted her life the most “Believed in me, gave me a scholarship to Seton Hall. It later brought me back as the first full-time assistant ever at The Hall. That opportunity was everything to my career,” Mangena reflected. "The other person who impacted Mangina's life is Gela Mikalauskas (the first head coach she worked for at Wagner College). Gela taught me how to be an effective assistant and so much more."
After lots of experience as a coach Mangina's biggest advice for a coach looking to get in the business: "Where to start? Get into this for the right reasons! So many people see the college game or pros and see this "incredible life" and it is but they see you at games, on the sidelines, in arenas. They hear about the traveling you do, the places you get to go, and all the fun parts of the job. But do this because you love it, because you want to help young people realize their dreams, have a positive impact in their lives, and in turn, you have a rewarding experience as the coach. I would tell them #1, find something you love to do and get someone to pay you to do it! Work college camps, get to know coaches, and take in all that you can. After college work to get a College Graduate assistant position, get your Master's degree. If you have been working camps, it may help! While in college, coach an AAU team in the summer if you can. So many opportunities to learn if this is the path you want to choose. Coaching is a lot of time, energy, and effort, but you have to love what you do."
