Tilton Director of Athletics Tara Brisson recently introduced Michael Byrnes as the new boys basketball coach for the 2021-22 winter season. Byrnes brings an extensive coaching background with him to the Hill, having spent 15 years as a head coach at the prep level and 10 years as both an assistant and head coach at the collegiate level. His teams have won two NEPSAC Championships and his players have gone on to incredible success, with more than 100 competing at the Division I level and several reaching the NBA.
“I’m tremendously excited to be joining the Tilton community,” says Byrnes. “I’ve been involved in education for over 30 years, and opportunities to work at places as special as Tilton are hard to find. I look forward to working with our students every day, preparing them to be successful in the classroom, on the court, and more importantly in life!”
Shortly after his playing days at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Byrnes jumped into a career in coaching. His resume includes stops at Hargrave Military Academy and The Winchendon School, where he had a combined record of 401-131 over 15 years. He then moved into an assistant role for Division I Robert Morris University before spending four seasons as the Head Coach at Rhode Island College, where he went 20-8 in his first campaign.
“I am super excited about the addition of Coach Byrnes,” says Brisson. “Marcus was a tremendous coach who built a dominant program. Because he was not going to be a coach that was easily replaced, we took our time to find the right person to continue the rich tradition and success of boys basketball at Tilton School. Along with his knowledge of the game and extensive coaching background, Coach Byrnes will instill his energy and passion into this program on a daily basis. I know that will result in the Rams finding their way back to the top!”
With 15 years ofteaching experience to go alongside his extensive coaching background, Byrnes possesses a full understanding of the boarding school environment. He will take the reins for a program that won the National Prep Championship in 2009. The Rams are also three-time NEPSAC Class AA Champions (2018, 2015, and 2011), and have several alumni currently starring at the NBA level.