Coaching Experience
- Associate Head Coach, Fairleigh Dickinson University, (2014 - Present)
- Head Coach, Kean University (1995-2006)
- Assistant Coach, Saint Peter’s (2010 - 2013)
- Assistant Coach, Caldwell College
- Assistant Coach, New York Liberty
- Assistant Coach, Seton Hall
- Assistant Coach, Trenton State (1984 - 1986)
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Physical Education, Kean (1984)
- Master’s Degree, Counseling Education, Seton Hall
At FDU
Bruce Hamburger enters his eighth season as the associate head coach for the Fairleigh Dickinson men's basketball program. for the 2020-21 campaign.
The Knights have qualified for the NEC Tournament in six of seven seasons with Hamburger on the staff and have won the NEC Championship twice including the 2019 season. The 2019 campaign was a historic one for the Burgundy and Blue as they captured both the NEC Championship and an NEC regular season title, while earning the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament game victory -- a six-point triumph over Prairie View A&M.
During the 2019-20 season, the Knights finished fifth in the conference and had three members of the team earn NEC yearly recognition. Jahlil Jenkins (Second Team All-NEC), Kaleb Bishop (Third Team All-NEC), and Devon Dunn (NEC All-Rookie Team).
In 2015-16, Hamburger helped guide the Knights to a 10-win turnaround as the team earned an NEC Championship and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.
“Bruce brings an incredible amount of experience and expertise to our program,” Herenda said. “I am very lucky to have a coach who has not only been on a Final Four bench, but has head coaching experience and ties to the entire state of New Jersey, which will prove to be a tremendous addition to my staff.”
"I am excited to join the FDU family, I look forward to working with Coach Herenda and the rest of the coaching staff and players, and making the FDU program successful," Hamburger said. "Having worked with Greg (Herenda) at Seton Hall, I know the passion and commitment that he will put into making the FDU program excel both on and off the court. I am eager to contribute any way I can."
Prior To FDU
Hamburger came to Hackensack via Jersey City after coaching at Saint Peter's from 2010-2013. While at St. Peter's, the team made the NCAA Tournament during his first year (2010-11). Hamburger's leadership resulted in the 10th team to make the NCAA Tournament in his 16 years as an assistant coach.
Prior to working at Saint Peter's, Hamburger was an assistant coach at Caldwell College, after spending two seasons as an assistant coach for the New York Liberty of the WNBA.
Along with his time at Caldwell and in the WNBA, Hamburger brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the Knights' staff. He served as the head coach at Kean University for 11 years, where he is the all-time winningest coach. Hamburger coached his alma mater to four appearances in the ECAC Tournament, winning the ECAC title in 2005, and advanced to the finals again in 2006. He also led Kean to an appearance in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament in 2001.
Prior to coaching at Kean, Hamburger was an assistant coach at Seton Hall under P.J. Carlesimo for nine years, beginning in 1986. The Pirates won two Big East Tournament titles and made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament during his tenure, including the 1989 run to the NCAA championship game. The team was inducted into the Seton Hall Athletic Hall of Fame in June 2014.
Hamburger began his coaching career in 1984 at Trenton State, where he was an assistant coach under Kevin Bannon for two seasons.
Saint Peter's head coach John Dunne on Coach Hamburger: “Bruce is the ultimate professional. He brings knowledge in all areas for a program. Fairleigh Dickinson is getting a guy that has a wealth of different experiences to share while having the energy level of a first-year assistant.”
