Rhode Island College

In Ferry’s first season at the helm, the Anchormen nearly doubled its win total from the previous year and recorded their first postseason win in 9 years. The Anchormen finished with a 15-12 overall record, including the program’s first ever win over Amherst College, a buzzer beater win against regional powerhouse, Nichols College, and a 73-70 quarterfinal win over Southern Maine in the LEC playoffs. Their 15 wins were the most wins in a season for the program in four years and a seven-game improvement from the year prior.

The men’s program has made its mark off the hardwood as well. The 2023-2024 team recorded its best academic year in recent memory (10 players earned Dean’s list recognition, both seniors graduated and every member stayed on schedule to graduate). “We have two standards in this program,” said Coach Ferry. “We go to class, and we are early. Our priority from Day 1 was to get our returners back on track to graduate. Once that plan was in place, we keyed in on academic performance.”

Since his arrival, Ferry’s team has had a strong presence in the community. Last year, the team visited local, Times Squared Academy once per month, to mentor middle school students with reading programs, physical education programs and small group discussions. This year’s team has partnered with Nathanael Greene Middle School.

“This is the most fun I have ever had coaching,” said Ferry. “Not only am I back home in Rhode Island, but I get to coach my type of student-athlete…humble, hungry, and selfless. I am so grateful to Don Tencher, Jo-Ann D’Alessandro, and President Warner for the opportunity to lead this program. Rhode Island College is a keystone of higher education in the state of Rhode Island. It is both a place where you can have a major impact on young people’s lives and a place where you can consistently compete for championships. It is a perfect fit for me and my family.”

Before returning home to Rhode Island, Ferry spent the previous four seasons as an assistant coach on the College of the Holy Cross men’s basketball staff. He was intimately involved in recruiting, on-court coaching, practice planning, opponent scouting, player development and game planning. Holy Cross had four All-Patriot League selections and four Patriot League All-Rookie team honorees during his time on the staff.

Ferry joined the Crusaders after spending the 2018-2019 season as an assistant coach at Cleveland State under Head Coach Dennis Felton. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at Pittsburgh under Head Coach Kevin Stallings during the 2017-2018 campaign.

Before his stint in the ACC, Ferry spent six seasons on the staff of Head Coach King Rice at Monmouth from 2011-2017. He joined the Hawks as the director of basketball operations in 2011, before being promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2013-2014 season. Ferry helped lead Monmouth to a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season titles in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017. The Hawks set a school single-season record with 28 victories in 2015-2016 and then won 27 games in 2016-2017.

Monmouth totaled 106 wins during Ferry’s six years on the staff, which included five high-major wins in 2015-2016 and made two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament. In 2016, Ferry was named to the Under Armour 30-under-30 Team as part of the NABC’s Guardians of the Game Awards, which recognizes 30 men’s basketball coaches under the age of 30. In addition, all 21 of Monmouth’s seniors graduated during his time on the staff.

A 2010 graduate of Vanderbilt with a bachelor’s degree in human and organizational development, Ferry spent four years as a student manager for the Commodores before serving as the team’s director of video operations in 2010-2011. He was a part of four NCAA Tournament teams with the Commodores (2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011).

Ferry, his wife (Eileen), their daughter (Elliot), and their son (Max) reside in Providence.

• Brett Nelson | Former Head Coach at Holy Cross, Former Associate Head Coach at Marquette University
“It’s hard to express my excitement and happiness surrounding Sam Ferry’s appointment to lead the Rhode Island College Men’s Basketball program. They hit an absolute home run, and Sam will elevate everyone around him immediately. His work ethic is outstanding and his character is impeccable. Congratulations to the RIC players, fan base and community. Sam is an absolute winner.”
 
• Dennis Felton | Providence College Assistant Coach, Former Head Coach at Georgia, Cleveland State, and Western Kentucky
“Rhode Island College is getting an outstanding coach, passionate leader and a sensational person! Sam is not only exceptionally smart, but he’s also hard working and has a way of connecting with people in a genuine and impactful way. Rhode Island College and all their constituents are going to enjoy having Sam on their team in this leadership position.”
 
• Kevin Stallings | Former Head Coach at Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, and Illinois State
“Sam Ferry is one of the best assistant coaches that I had in all my years of coaching. He is bright, articulate, has tremendous knowledge of the game, and works as hard as anyone I’ve ever known. He is an accomplished recruiter and an excellent tactician. I know that the people at Rhode Island College will thoroughly enjoy having Sam and Eileen and their family as members of that community. Rhode Island College couldn’t have done any better in hiring Sam Ferry as their next head coach.”
 
• King Rice | Head Coach at Monmouth University
“Sam is a star. We have known each other for nearly two decades now, and I couldn’t be happier for him and his family. His energy and work ethic helped lay the foundation for what we have built here at Monmouth. And I am excited for what he will do in Providence. Rhode Island College will love Sam as their men’s basketball coach.”