Dan Madhavapallil enters his fifth year with the UAlbany Basketball Program. He joined the Great Danes in 2021 as the team’s Director of Basketball Operations, following head coach Dwayne Killings from Marquette University where he had occupied the same role since 2019. He has since been promoted to Assistant Coach.
The 2025–26 season was a challenging but competitive campaign for the Great Danes, as UAlbany finished 11–21 overall and 7–9 in America East play while navigating a demanding schedule and a tightly contested conference race. The Great Danes showed resilience throughout the year, earning key conference wins and positioning themselves in the postseason picture before falling to UMass Lowell in the America East Quarterfinals. The season featured four televised games, including two appearances on ESPNU highlighted by a nationally broadcast victory over Vermont, as well as two games on SNY, including a win over Stony Brook. The year also included significant postseason honors, as Okechukwu Okeke was named America East Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-Defensive Team recognition, while Amir Lindsey was selected to the All-America East First Team following a breakout campaign that also included All-Academic recognition for excellence in the classroom.
The 2024–25 season marked a strong step forward for the Great Danes, as UAlbany finished 17–16 overall and 8–8 in America East play to earn a spot in the conference tournament. The Great Danes showcased their resilience throughout the year, navigating a demanding schedule and positioning themselves among the league’s top contenders down the stretch. UAlbany advanced to the America East Semifinals after defeating Binghamton at the Broadview Center in the quarterfinals, marking the program’s first semifinal appearance since the 2016–17 season, before falling to eventual champion Bryant. The season also featured individual recognition, as Justin Neely was named America East Sixth Man of the Year, Byron Joshua earned All-Conference Third Team honors, and Amir Lindsey was selected to the All-Rookie Team.
The 2023–24 season saw the Great Danes finish 13–19 overall and 5–11 in America East play, placing eighth in the conference before falling to Vermont in the opening round of the America East Tournament. While the record reflected inconsistency, the season provided valuable development opportunities as returning players gained experience and the program continued to build continuity
The 2022–23 campaign presented significant challenges for the Great Danes, as injuries and the ongoing renovation of SEFCU Arena forced the team to play home games at Hudson Valley Community College. UAlbany finished 8–23 overall and 3–13 in conference play, but continued to show strength in recruiting and player development. The staff, helped bring in eventual America East Rookie of the Year Jonathan Beagle, who set a program record with nine Rookie of the Week honors and capped his freshman season with the league’s top rookie award, marking only the second time UAlbany produced back-to-back Rookies of the Year.
In his first season with the program (2021–22), Dan Madhavapallil served as Director of Basketball Operations under head coach Dwayne Killings as the Great Danes posted a 13–18 overall record and 9–9 mark in America East play. The season featured a signature non-conference win at Boston College, the program’s first-ever victory over an ACC opponent. UAlbany’s year concluded in the America East Tournament, where the team also earned postseason recognition as Jamel Horton was named America East Defensive Player of the Year and Justin Neely earned Rookie of the Year honors, reflecting a strong foundation established within the program.
Dan’s coaching journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence and his profound impact on both individual player development and team success. From his early days as a high school basketball captain to his current role as Assistant Coach at UAlbany Dan's passion for the game has propelled him to remarkable heights in the world of collegiate basketball.
Throughout his career, Dan has left an indelible mark on the sport, earning recognition for his coaching acumen and leadership. In 2020, he was honored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) as one of the top young coaches in the country, being named to the prestigious 30 Under 30 list.
Dan's coaching journey includes stints at Marquette University, where he played a pivotal role in the team's success in a variety of roles. Under the guidance of esteemed coaches Buzz Williams and Steve Wojciechowski, Dan contributed to notable achievements such as winning the Big East Regular Season Championship in 2013 and securing an Elite Eight finish in the NCAA Tournament. His tenure at Marquette also included multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Madhavapallil started as a Student Manager for four seasons before climbing the ladder to Program Assistant, Assistant Video Coordinator, and Director of Basketball Operations.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Dan has also played a significant role in the development of NBA and professional basketball players. His dedication to player development has helped mold numerous athletes for success at the next level, including NBA players Juan Anderson, Sam Hauser, Markus Howard, Jamal Cain, DJ Carton and numerous other professional basketball players.
At UAlbany, Dan has continued to make significant contributions, both on and off the court. His dedication to player development has helped mold numerous All-League players, including Matt Cerruti, Jamel Horton, Jonathan Beagle, Justin Neely, Sebastian Thomas, and Amar'e Marshall. Under his guidance, these players have excelled on the court and have embodied the values of hard work, discipline, and perseverance.
Dan also serves as the program’s community liaison where he coordinates all of the team’s community engagement functions.
Dan's coaching philosophy emphasizes holistic player development, focusing not only on athletic performance but also on academic achievement and personal growth. His mentorship extends beyond basketball, instilling in his players the skills and values they need to succeed both on and off the court.
As Assistant Coach at UAlbany, Dan continues to make a lasting impact, leveraging his experience and expertise to propel the team to new heights of success. His unwavering commitment to excellence, coupled with his proven track record of player development, positions him as a driving force behind the program's pursuit of greatness.
Dan Madhavapallil's coaching journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring coaches and players alike. His dedication to the game, coupled with his ability to develop both individual talent and winning teams, solidifies his legacy as a respected leader and mentor in the world of basketball.
