THE COMPLETE JEFF RULAND FILE

Jeff Ruland becomes the Thunderbirds second overall Head Coach in the team’s third season, taking the reins from former Head Coach and current Head Coach of the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) Michael Cooper.

Ruland was an All-American honoree during his three-year career, helping lead the Iona Gaels to a 69-21 record, including back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Iona was ranked #6 in the country according to Sports Illustrated and defeated eventual national champion Louisville, 77-60, at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 1980.

As a student-athlete, Ruland had an immediate impact during his first season playing for the Gaels. He led all Division I freshmen in scoring and rebounding, averaging 22.3 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. During the following two seasons, Ruland continued to impress, twice leading the Gaels to the NCAA Tournament and twice receiving All-American accolades. He ended his collegiate career as the college’s third all-time leading scorer (1,855 points/20.8 ppg) and second leading rebounder (1,067 rebounds/12.0 rpg). In addition, he is Iona’s career leader in field goal percentage (63.5%). Ruland passed up his final year of college eligibility to turn pro.

Ruland was drafted by the Golden State Warriors as an undergraduate in the second round (25th overall) of the 1980 NBA draft, which included such names as Kevin McHale, Kiki Vandeweghe, Rick Mahorn, Larry Smith and Kurt Rambis. Ruland opted to play one season of professional basketball in Barcelona, Spain, where he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game. His draft rights were traded by Golden State to Washington in 1981 for a second round draft pick.

Ruland spent five seasons in Washington and led the Bullets in rebounding and field goal percentage each of those five years. He was selected to the 1984 and 1985 Eastern Conference All-Star teams and named to the 1982 NBA All-Rookie squad. His best season in Washington, and as a professional, came during the 1983-84 campaign when he averaged 22.2 points and 12.3 rebounds while shooting 57.9% from the floor. Following the 1983-84 season, Ruland suffered a left knee injury. Prior to the 1986-87 campaign, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Moses Malone, Terry Catledge and two future first round draft picks. He played in just five games for the Sixers before his knee injury forced him to retire. Following a five-year layoff, Ruland came out of retirement in 1991 and signed with the 76ers. He played in just 13 games before a tear to his Achilles tendon forced him to miss the remainder of the season. His last stint in the NBA came during the 1992-93 season when the Detroit Pistons signed him to a free agent contract. He played in 11 games before being waived in January of 1993. During his 332-game NBA career, that spanned eight seasons, Ruland averaged 17.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while shooting 56.4% from the field.

For the past eight years Ruland had been Head Coach at his Alma Mater (Iona College), in which he compiled 137 wins, an average of more than 17 wins per season and guided the Gaels to three 20-win seasons, three MAAC Championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances.