Worcester Polytechnic Institute

NEWMAC Men's Basketball Coaching Staff of the Year: 2022-23, 2024-25

Riley Naclerio concluded his third season as a full-time assistant with the Crimson and Gray basketball program following the 2024-25 season.

The former product of St. Lawrence contributed to another historic season for the Engineers as WPI clinched its fourth straight NEWMAC regular season crown and a spot in the conference title game as Naclerio and the rest of Coach Bartley's staff earned the NEWMAC Men's Basketball Coaching Staff of the Year honor following the 2024-25 regular season. The Crimson and Gray earned an at-large bid to the 2024-25 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament for its second time in four years and reached the Sectional Semifinal (Sweet 16) round. Naclerio contributed to the development of the NEWMAC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Year, Aidan Callahan, and Defensive Player of the Year, J.R. Newman in addition to Tim Reidy being selected to the All-NEWMAC first team and Brett Marelli to the All-NEWMAC second team. Callahan drew regional praise from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and D3hoops.com before being named as an All-Star selection for the NABC Division III Men's Basketball All-Star Game in Fort Wayne. Callahan followed up with NABC and D3hoops.com All-America honors. 

In 2023-24, Coach Naclerio helped guide the Engineers to a 21-5 overall mark and 14-2 record in NEWMAC play as WPI secured its third consecutive NEWMAC regular season title as the program claimed NEWMAC Men's Basketball Athlete of the Year and NEWMAC Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year by John Adams and Donovan Sevilla, respectively, in addition to a second team nod for Aidan Callahan. 

Naclerio took on the duties as the top assistant for WPI Athletics Hall of Fame Men's Basketball Coach Chris Bartley for his first season ahead of the 2022-23 campaign where the Engineers posted a 22-4 record to claim the NEWMAC Men's Basketball regular season title and a trip to the NEWMAC Tournament title game. Naclerio contributed in development of All-NEWMAC First Team selections John Lowther and John Adams and Second Team honoree Aidan Callahan as the WPI coaching staff was tabbed as the NEWMAC Men's Basketball Coaching Staff of the Year following the 2022-23 season.  

Naclerio comes to WPI after three years of college coaching experience. He spent the past year helping rebuild the Gettysburg (PA) program.  The Bullets tallied their most wins and appeared in the Centennial Conference tournament for the first time since the 2015-16 season when they posted a 15-10 overall mark last winter.

The previous two years he was a graduate assistant at St. Lawrence where he spearheaded their recruiting efforts.  Naclerio is the second all-time leading scorer in St. Lawrence history, and one of their top players all-time, collecting over 1500 points and 700 rebounds in his career. He was a captain and all-region performer his final season.