Joe Lewandowski will stick around at Point Park

Point Park removed the interim tag from Joe Lewandowski Friday and officially named him head men’s basketball coach, the university announced.

Lewandowski coached the Pioneers last season, filling in at the last minute after the departure of Gabe Bubon, who left to take the head boys hoops job at Warren G. Harding High School in Ohio.

Point Park said last fall it would conduct an extensive search for a permanent coach but decided Lewandowski was their man.

“This past season under his tutelage, we were able to lay a strong foundation by improving our record and qualifying for the conference tournament,” Point Park Director of Athletics John Ashaolu said in a news release. “Coach Lewandowski is committed to the mission of the university and has assembled a high-quality staff, who have done a great job in developing our student-athletes and recruiting the type of prospects who will help return our program to a high level.”

Lewandowski has coached at Deer Lakes and Butler high schools, Butler County Community College, and is the regional head of youth development for USA Basketball. He is active in the yearly 3-vs-3 tournaments in Colorado.

“It is a great honor knowing you are getting a chance to influence the lives of young men in a crucial part of their journey,” Lewandowski said. “I do not take this responsibility lightly. It is with great dedication and passion that I will lead this program.”

Point Park went 9-18 last season and made the River States Athletic Conference playoffs.

Former Gateway High School and Kiski School coach Daryn Freedman will serve as associate head coach with Lewandowski.