Dec. 27, 2007

NEWARK, NJ - Jim Casciano has resumed his duties as NJIT's head men's basketball coach, returning from a temporary leave of absence.

Casciano, who took the leave of absence for personal health reasons starting on November 11, returned to lead the team in practices on December 16 after receiving clearance from his doctors.

The Highlanders, who last played on December 13 (lost to Rutgers, 65-55, in the Prudential Center) will resume competition on December 30, when Casciano leads them against Central Florida in the first round of the UCF Classic in Orlando.

Wendell Alexis, who was interim coach for 12 games during Casciano's leave of absence, will return to his regular position of assistant coach.

A veteran of the sidelines, Casciano is in his seventh season at NJIT and his 22nd season overall as a college head coach. He has won 66 games at NJIT, including upset victories in the school's first two games all-time in Division I competition to start the 2006-07 season. He has 262 career head coaching victories.

He coached NJIT in the 2007-08 opening game before stepping aside temporarily for what ended up being 12 games.