Steve Donahue Has St. Joe’s Hawks Blending Together at the Right Time
St. Joseph’s University men’s basketball team has surged recently, winning six of their last seven games as the critical stretch of the season arrives. Head coach Steve Donahue, who took charge of the program in September 2025, appears to have the Hawks coalescing just weeks before the Atlantic 10 tournament. The team’s recent performance, including a gritty 81-74 victory over Dayton, highlights the successful integration of a roster that underwent significant changes just months ago. Key contributors such as Dasear Haskins, Jaiden Glover-Toscano, and Derek Simpson have stepped up, combining for 60 points in the win against the Flyers.
Despite the current winning streak, skepticism remains regarding the team’s long-term consistency. Critics note that the Hawks were predicted to finish seventh in the Atlantic 10 preseason polls and suggest that the late-season surge must be tested against tougher road environments. The upcoming schedule includes a demanding trip to Chicago to face Loyola, followed by a Big 5 clash with La Salle. These matchups will serve as a definitive barometer for whether St. Joe’s can maintain this level of play and potentially secure a double bye in the conference tournament, or if their recent form is a temporary statistical anomaly.
Background context adds weight to this rapid turnaround. Donahue assumed the head coaching role abruptly after former coach Billy Lange left in September to join the New York Knicks’ front office. Donahue, a veteran coach with previous tenures at Penn, Boston College, and Cornell, was tasked with stabilizing a program in flux. He had to quickly implement his system with a mix of returning veterans and new transfers who had originally committed to play for Lange. While the “blending” process initially raised concerns about team chemistry, the Hawks’ current trajectory suggests the chaotic transition has evolved into a cohesive unit at the most opportune moment.
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