MALVERN - The Director of Athletics at The Phelps School in Malvern, PA, Todd MacFarlane, has announced the hiring of Brian Shanahan as the new Head Basketball coach.

“I am excited about our newest addition to The Phelps School Family” says MacFarlane. “Brian is a knowledgeable, self driven and motivated coach that will benefit our whole school not just our athletic department. I believe with the foundation that Coach Matthew Scavitto has put in place, our school’s academic support program, the family atmosphere, and our speed and conditioning program, I am confident that Brian will take our PG Basketball program to the next level.”

 A native of Haddonfield, New Jersey, Shanahan played for some of the most respected coaches in the Philadelphia area. First, with legendary high school basketball coach Dan Dougherty at Episcopal Academy, and then with both John Chaney, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach, and current Owls' coach Fran Dunphy.

 Shanahan comes to Phelps after three years as an assistant coach at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, N. J. During his tenure at Paul VI Shanahan helped build the program in many ways from player development to in-game strategy.

 Shanahan is a 2010 graduate of Temple University with a degree in Education and Conflict Resolution and will join the residential staff as a dorm parent and substitute teacher.

 “Obviously, I am excited to develop a high level basketball program; however, what really created my desire to be at Phelps was the family atmosphere, which is so prevalent. Each member of the faculty and staff are so dedicated to the development of the individual boy, and that’s also what’s been the cornerstone of all the great coaches that worked at my development. Surrounding myself with a dedicated educational community such as this will definitely translate to positive growth of the student athlete.”

 A number of the area's most distinguished coaches have been quick to praise Shanahan.

 “Brian Shanahan has the makings of a great coach because he came up the hard way in the basketball world. He is a self-made player who carved out a successful career as a three-year starter for me at The Episcopal Academy. Brian has the knowledge and qualities of all the great guards that came out of the Philadelphia area and became successful coaches. He has the patience and enthusiasm that it takes to get the best out of the individual student-athlete. Brian is what’s necessary for a new program to achieve success in the basketball world.

 I would not hesitate to recommend a player to play for his program and I wish him nothing but success in establishing a quality program at The Phelps School.”

 -- Dan Dougherty, retired head basketball coach, Episcopal Academy

 “Brian Shanahan is a natural leader both on and off the court. Brian has a tremendous enthusiasm and passion for the game of basketball. His character and commitment to the game of basketball will be a welcomed addition to The Phelps Community.”

 -- Fran Dunphy, head basketball coach, Temple University

 “Brian Shanahan is an enthusiastic, passionate and very knowledgeable young Coach. He will create a very competitive and well respected program at Phelps.”

 -- Jay Wright, head basketball coach, Villanova University

 The Phelps School was founded in 1946 by Dr. Norman T. Phelps as a boarding school for boys who needed extra personal attention to help them reach their potential. The School's motto has always been "dedication to the individual boy." 

 The Phelps School enjoys an enrollment of 140 boarding and day boys in grades 7-12 with a few selected post-graduates. The campus is situated in a quiet, rural setting 22 miles west of Philadelphia and takes pride in its diverse population that has attracted students from man states and countries around the world.

 The Phelps School adheres to a longstanding policy of admitting students of any race, color, creed and religion, national or ethnic origin.