The Lackawanna College Athletics Department announced Wednesday that Landon Gabriel has resigned as men’s basketball coach and is being replaced by assistant Kirk Fallon, effective immediately.
Gabriel and Fallon each had served as high school coaches at their alma maters in District 2. Gabriel was the boys coach at Carbondale before moving to Lackawanna and bringing Fallon, the girls coach at Susquehanna, in as an assistant.
According to a press release from the school, Gabriel, who is getting married this summer, decided to step down to focus on his professional and family life.
“Landon did a tremendous job re-establishing the men’s basketball culture, creating a positive team culture, and he was committed to excellence in promoting the success of our student-athletes,” Lackawanna College director of athletics Erik Larson said in the release. “I am thankful for the time that Landon was here and his dedication to Lackawanna College and the men’s basketball program.
“I sincerely wish him the best going forward.”
Lackawanna was 33-39 in Gabriel’s three seasons. They won the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIX championship for the first time in 10 years in 2021. The Falcons won 18 games last season.
“It’s hard to express just how excited I am to continue building what coach Gabriel has started here at Lackawanna,” Fallon said. “I’m extremely grateful to the administration at Lackawanna College, including Dr. Jill Murray, director of athletics Erik Larson, and assistant director of athletics Josh Pardini, for putting their trust in me to continue leading these young men and this program.”
In Fallon’s previous head coaching assignment, he led Susquehanna to a 40-17 record in two seasons. His Lady Sabers team was in the state quarterfinals in 2020 when the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs were halted there because of COVID.
Fallon previously served as an assistant coach at Keystone College for four years. “Kirk has a commitment and passion for the game and a love for Lackawanna College,” Larson said. “I am confident Kirk will provide a smooth transition in the program.”
