SUNY Potdam

Sherry Dobbs: Head Coach

Coach Sherry Dobbs recently completed his sixth year at the helm of the Bears men's basketball program. During that time, Dobbs has amassed a 95-74 overall record while leading the men to two SUNYAC Championships. Under the leadership of Coach Dobbs, Potsdam made back-to-back visits to the NCAA Tournament and advanced as far as the Elite-Eight during the 2004-05 season.

The achievements of Coach Dobbs resulted in his being named the 2005 SUNYAC Coach of the Year. "This honor is very much deserved, and given that his peers chose him, makes it even more distinctive. Coach Dobbs is a true role model for our players," noted Jim Zalacca, Bears Athletic Director.

Prior to Potsdam, Coach Dobbs was an assistant coach at Ithaca College from 1998 - 2003. He helped the Bombers to win the 2001-2202 Empire Eight Championship as well as the 1999-2000 ECAC Upstate New York Tournament.

Prior to his tenure at Ithaca, Dobbs served one year as assistant men's coach at St. Lawrence University. It was during that 1997-1998 season that the Saints went 24-2 to win the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association title and reach the NCAA Division III quarterfinals.

Dobbs began his coaching career in 1995 when he served two years as assistant women's basketball coach at SUNY Potsdam. He completed a Masters of Science in Teaching at Potsdam in 1998. Dobbs also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at SUNY Plattsburgh in 1993 after collecting four varsity letters on the Cardinals basketball team.  

Jon Tanous: Assistant Coach

Jon is now returning for his fifth season of coaching with the men's basketball program at SUNY Potsdam. He is a 2005 graduate of Potsdam where he played four seasons with the Bears.     

A tireless worker, Jon will work on the development of our perimeter players. Jon's understanding of the game and the Bears system make him a valuable addition to the men's coaching staff.  

Jon was a member of Potsdam's 03-04 and 04-05 teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament both of those seasons. The Liberty, NY native played high school basketball at Sullivan West.  

Stan Cohen: Assistant Coach

Having worked with the men's basketball program at SUNY Potsdam for over 35 years, Stan Cohen is the longest tenured person on the Bears coaching staff. The Bears Hall of Fame member, who first began working with Coach Welsh in 1971, continues today as an assistant coach for Sherry Dobbs.     

Cohen has been with the Bears during two National Championships, their 60 game winning streak, six SUNYAC Tournament Championships and numerous NCAA appearances. The Bears had a total of eight players named All-Americans during Cohen's watch.  

A graduate of Hobart College, Coach Cohen served as co-captain of the 1955-56 men's basketball team. His team finished then with the best win-loss percentage of any team in the history of Hobart basketball.    

"Stan's wisdom and experience have been a tremendous help to both myself and our basketball team. He is very good teacher of the game and has an excellent rapport with our players," commented Coach Dobbs.