Milltown Native Joe Gallo Leads Merrimack to Hoops Success

The 46-year-old coach has guided the Warriors to four conference titles in seven years since the school's Division 1 upgrade.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Joe Gallo, a 46-year-old basketball coach from Milltown, New Jersey, has led Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts to remarkable success since the school's transition to Division 1 seven years ago. Gallo has guided the Warriors to four conference titles, including this season's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference crown after the team finished 17-3 in league play. Though Merrimack was ineligible for the NCAA Tournament in its first two title-winning seasons due to rules regarding new D-1 programs, the Warriors are now poised to make their first March Madness appearance, with Gallo's innovative coaching style and eye for overlooked talent fueling the team's rise.

Why it matters

Gallo's success at the small, relatively unknown Merrimack program has caught the attention of the broader college basketball world, with high-major job offers expected to come his way soon. His unique coaching approach, which emphasizes a customized 2-3 zone defense and finding "dusky gems" in talent-rich areas like Philadelphia, has proven highly effective and could serve as a model for other mid-major programs looking to punch above their weight.

The details

Gallo, a former point guard at Princeton Day School, has built Merrimack into a winner through a combination of strategic coaching, tireless recruiting, and a focus on team chemistry over individual talent. His zone defense, which he says the team has "down to a science," has confounded opponents, while his ability to identify and develop overlooked players like Jordan Derkack, Budd Clark, and Kevair Kennedy has been key to the Warriors' success. Gallo also takes a thoughtful approach to the transfer portal, using it judiciously to complete his roster rather than simply loading up on individual stars.

  • Merrimack is favored to win the MAAC Tournament, which takes place March 5-10 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
  • Gallo's former Princeton Day School teammates and Milltown family members are expected to be in the stands to support him at the MAAC Tournament.

The players

Joe Gallo

A 46-year-old basketball coach from Milltown, New Jersey who has led Merrimack College to four conference titles in seven years since the school's transition to Division 1.

Steve Gallo

Joe Gallo's father, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam and later worked as a safety engineer, settling in Milltown around 1990.

Alan Taback

Joe Gallo's former coach at Princeton Day School, where Gallo was a standout point guard.

Jordan Derkack

A former Merrimack player who is now a teammate of Budd Clark's at Seton Hall University.

Budd Clark

A former Merrimack player who is now starring for Seton Hall University in his first season with the Pirates.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“His success doesn't surprise me – he was always like a coach on the floor as a point guard. He was an amazingly hard worker, he always had a lot of fun and he lifted everyone's spirits. I've seen his practices and they're amazing – everyone is learning and having a good time. He's created a special culture up there at his school, of togetherness and a winning attitude. He's got all the goods.”

— Alan Taback, Former coach at Princeton Day School (app.com)

“Joey was dribbling a basketball before he could even say basketball. In school he breezed through his math courses. His analytical mind is a big reason why he's successful.”

— Steve Gallo, Joe Gallo's father (app.com)

“We have it down to a science, how we implement it. We know it takes some time (to learn), especially with new guys. But they've never played it before, so they can't question anything, really. It's won us a lot of games.”

— Joe Gallo (app.com)

“All these guys we've had, people pick apart what they can't do, and we're looking at their superpowers – the things they can do. Everyone was down because Budd didn't shoot threes. Well, he did a lot of other things well, and he doesn't really miss midrange shots, which people don't let anyone shoot anymore. Other people's miss was our gain.”

— Joe Gallo (app.com)

“We have a saying: Once a Warrior, always a Warrior. I stay in touch with these guys, they root of us and we root for them.”

— Joe Gallo (app.com)

What’s next

The Warriors are favored to win the MAAC Tournament and earn their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.

The takeaway

Joe Gallo's unique coaching approach and ability to identify and develop overlooked talent has transformed Merrimack into a winner, showcasing that a mid-major program can compete at a high level through strategic, team-first basketball rather than simply loading up on individual stars.