May 6, 1999

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Bob MacKinnon, head men’s basketball coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., for the past two seasons, has been named an assistant men’s basketball coach at Notre Dame.

MacKinnon joins head coach Matt Doherty’s Irish staff after leading the Merchant Marine Academy to appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament in both of his years in charge of the program. MacKinnon had a two-year record of 38-16 (.703) at the school.

In 1996-97, the Mariners went 16-11 and posted an 11-3 mark in the Skyline Conference, winning both the regular-season championship and the post-season tournament. In 1997-98, the Academy finished with a 22-5 record, and won 16 of its final 17 games, and a perfect 14-0 mark in conference play to win the regular season championship and post-season tournament. MacKinnon was named the Skyline Conference coach of the year following the 1998-99 season.

MacKinnon came to the Merchant Marine Academy after serving on the staff at Niagara for seven seasons from 1990-96. MacKinnon was an assistant coach for the Purple Eagles for six year and was the associate head coach in his final year there.

MacKinnon also served as an assistant coach at George Washington (1985-90), Mercyhurst (1982-85) and King’s (Pa.) College (1981-82).

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from King’s College in 1982 and his Master’s in Education from Niagara in 1987. He was a four-year member of the basketball team at King’s.

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., MacKinnon’s father, Bob MacKinnon, Sr., was a member of the New Jersey Nets organization from 1979-95, serving as an assistant coach, head coach for a part of the 1987-88 season and general manager.

MacKinnon and his wife Suzanne have two sons — Bobby and Matthew.