Tom Gizzi came to Notre Dame of Maryland University in the 2016-17 season as the Head Women's Basketball Coach, becoming the 12th head coach in program history.
Gizzi brings with him over 29 years of teaching and coaching experience. Tom founded the Maryland Belles and Blue Star Basketball AAU club in 2013 and currently serves as the Program Director, Head Coach and National Blue Star Talent Evaluator. Gizzi also spent this past year as the head coach at The Seton Keough High School, where Tom led the the Gators on an IAAM "A" Semifinals run. Seton Keough finished the year ranked third overall in the Baltimore Sun's rankings and placed ninth overall in Maryland's USA Today.
Prior to his time with the Maryland Belles and Blue Star Basketball program, Gizzi became the first Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Loyola University in 2008 and helped lead the team to its most wins in program history in 2010-11.
Gizzi was also the Head Women’s Varsity Basketball Coach, Assistant Varsity Football Coach, Instructor of Chemistry and Residential Life Program Manager at the McDonogh School from 2003-08. As the head women’s basketball coach at McDonogh, Gizzi led the club to five consecutive Final Four appearances in the IAAM “A” conference championship and earned the Baltimore Sun’s second overall ranking in Maryland in 2005 and 2006.
From 1998-03, Gizzi was the Head Varsity Women's Basketball Coach at The Hill School, where he coached two top 15 teams in Southeastern, Pa. and registered an 88-24 overall record. Aside from his coaching duties at The Hill School, Gizzi was also an Instructor of Science, Residential Life Program Manager and a Director of Student-Athlete Physical Development.
In 1995, Tom was named Head Varsity Coach of the boys' basketball team at Souderton Area High School, where he spent three years. Gizzi also worked as an Assistant Varsity Football Coach and Instructor of Science.
Prior to his coaching career, Gizzi competed in the Arena Football League from 1990-91, as a member of the Tampa Bay Storm. Gizzi was team captain, 1991 World Champion and named to the 1991 All-Pro Team. Gizzi's impact carried off the field too, as Tom was elected AFL Player Representative, where his job was to represent the Players' Union in contract negotiations and bonus disbursements.
Gizzi was also a member of the Universtiy of Pennsylvania football program from 1985-88. Tom was named to the All-Ivy League's First Team, All-ECAC Team and earned an All-American Honorable Mention. Gizzi helped lead Penn to three Ivy League Championships in 1985, 1986 and 1988.
Gizzi graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in Neurobiology before earning his teaching certificate in Biology, Chemistry and Physics from Pennsylvania State University in 1995. In 1997, Gizzi earned his Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph's University. Tom is currently working towards his MBA in Management and Finance Specialization at Loyola University.
Off the court and out of the classroom, Tom resides with his wife Holly, who is an equestrian teacher at the McDonogh School and his daughters Hannah and Leah. Hannah is a Midshipman at United States Merchant Marine Academy and was named First Team All-Landmark in lacrosse after posting an 8-6 record in net, to go along with 172 saves, while Leah enters her senior year as a three sport varsity student-athlete at the McDonogh School.
