News of Fayetteville State men’s basketball coach Luke D’Alessio’s departure came as a shock to many after he’d turned the program into a CIAA powerhouse with national relevance in five active seasons with the Broncos.
Coming off its first-ever NCAA D2 Tournament game victory, a third straight CIAA Southern Division crown and three years removed from the program’s first CIAA Tournament championship in nearly 50 years, the Broncos were on an extreme upward trajectory never before seen in their 70-year history.
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In the last year of his contract at FSU, D’Alessio’s future seemed secure in Fayetteville, with the program making history season after season during his tenure — the most recent earning him CIAA Coach of the Year and a national award as HBCU All-Stars Clarence “Big House” Gaines NCAA Division II Coach of the Year. But it wasn’t to be.
Fayetteville State did not renew D’Alessio’s contract, and although his name has been mentioned as a candidate for several open spots, the coach has not announced another destination. A consummate professional, D’Alessio released a statement of gratitude and optimism on Thursday.
“It is tough leaving Fayetteville State University,” he stated. “I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of the players and the team over the past six years and will miss the Fayetteville State family. However, I am looking forward to the future and the possibilities that await. I would like to thank the staff at FSU. Also, thank you to the alumni and the fan base for their unwavering support. They are the best fans in the CIAA!”
Broncos boosters will be left wondering what might have been had the 65-year-old coach finished his career in Fayetteville. He leaves a haul of trophies in a once-scant collection and the program at its highest point.
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It might be the foundation for a brighter future, but for now it’s the ceiling, and the Broncos seem to be weighing proven success against potential. Sometimes, that’s the way the ball bounces.
Wherever D’Alessio lands, he’ll bring a wealth of experience and connections as a reliable winner.
His up-and-down-the-roster preparation and player development were on display in the Broncos’ NCAA Tournament win over Mountain East Conference champion Fairmont State in March. Starting guard Ezekiel Cannedy was injured in practice the day before the game, taking away his 15.9-point scoring average and team-high 89 made 3-pointers. Junior Isaiah Ray stepped in and delivered a 23-point performance while shooting 3-for-3 from 3-point range with 11 rebounds in the historic 74-67 overtime victory.
“I just wanted to come in and make an impact, work hard. The opportunity was there and I wanted to take advantage of it,” Ray said.
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“I credit Coach Luke. That’s why we know how to prepare. … Every year I’ve been here, we’ve taken a step toward becoming national.”
Ray turned down Division I scholarship opportunities to play for D’Alessio at FSU. “He’s honest and he’s a winner,” Ray said of his coach. “I had other programs that promised me more. The biggest thing was that we’re going to win. It’s on us to buy in.”
“I just want to win. Leave a legacy. Winning lasts forever.”
D’Alessio’s won everywhere he’s been, resurrecting the Broncos more than 20 years after he did the same at CIAA-mate Bowie State, where he’s a Hall of Famer with 199 wins at a 67% clip, a CIAA championship and three NCAA Tournament appearances culminating with a Final Four in 2003.
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Cannedy, who eclipsed 1,000 career points this season at FSU, has added his name to the transfer portal, and All-CIAA standouts Tairell Fletcher (HBCU All-Star Game MVP and HBCU D2 Player of the Year) and Caleb Simmons have exhausted eligibility. Still, the program’s recent success should lure plenty of talent for a new roster and a new coach in 2025-26.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville State basketball coach Luke D’Alessio future
