Chris Santo has been appointed as an assistant coach for the Loyola University Maryland men's basketball team after a successful tenure at Saint Anselm College, where he led the team to a 2026 NCAA Division II Tournament bid. Santo holds impressive accolades, including winning the Northeast 10 Conference Championship and being named both Player of the Year in 2015 and Coach of the Year in 2026. His appointment has been well-received by Head Coach Josh Loeffler, who lauded Santo’s consistent success and strong coaching pedigree. Santo brings experience from coaching as well as playing, having achieved significant milestones as both a player and a coach in NCAA basketball.

By the Numbers
  • Santo's overall record at Saint Anselm: 40-23 (.635).
  • 2025-26 season record: 25-8, including 14-4 in conference play.
  • Fourth-most wins in Saint Anselm's 87-season history.
State of Play
  • Santo joins Loyola’s coaching staff amidst a new season approaching.
  • Loeffler aims to leverage Santo's experience to enhance team performance.
  • Santo’s hiring signifies a strategic move to build a competitive coaching team.
What's Next

As Santo integrates into the Loyola coaching staff, the focus will be on player development and improving team cohesion ahead of the upcoming season. The potential success of the program may hinge on Santo's ability to implement his winning strategies from previous coaching experiences.

Bottom Line

Santo's arrival at Loyola represents an opportunity for the program to bolster its competitive edge and continue a legacy of success, leveraging his history of achievements in the NCAA landscape. His dual experience as a former player and coach positions him well to foster talent and elevate the team's performance.