The Penn State Abington men’s basketball program will have a new head coach on the sidelines for the 2025-26 season and beyond as Sean Westerlund was named the Nittany Lions’ head coach announced by Erin Foley, Director of Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation.

 “After an extended search I am pleased to announce that Sean Westerlund will be our new head men’s basketball coach here at Penn State Abington,” said Foley.  “We are thrilled to welcome Sean to the Penn State Abington family.  Sean’s proven track record of success, his familiarity with the conference and region and his commitment to developing players both on and off the court make him the perfect fit for our program.  We look forward to seeing the positive impact his leadership and guidance will have on the team this coming year and years to come.”

 Westerlund is no stranger to Penn State Abington as he previously coached at near-by Bryn Athyn College as a member school in the United East Conference (UEC) for four seasons.  In his tenure with the Lions, Westerlund accumulated 55 victories, including the program’s first 20-win season this past year.  Bryn Athyn finished conference play with a 15-1 record and went on to win the United East championship and secure the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. The Lions also placed a conference high, four student-athletes, on the All-United East teams, including Will Little – 1st Team, Jakir Hampton – 1st Team, Keith Bullock Jr. – 3rd Team, and Jalen Jackson – 3rd Team.

 “I would like to thank Director of Athletics, Erin Foley and the search committee for affording me the opportunity to lead the Penn State Abington Men’s Basketball program,” said Westerlund. “It was evident throughout the entire interview process how special and unique a place Penn State Abington is. There is a special culture around campus and within the Athletic department. I am excited to begin working and investing into our student-athletes to build a winning culture on and off the court.”

 Prior to his time at Bryn Athyn, Westerlund spent four years as an assistant men’s basketball coach and recruiting coordinator at Hood College.  While at Hood, Westerlund’s responsibilities included, recruiting, opponent scouting reports, game and practice planning, skill development, advanced statistical analysis and fundraising. He helped bring to Hood many successful recruits, including Mason Wang (2x MACC first team, 2x D3Hoops.com All-Region second team, 2019-20 NABC All-Middle Atlantic District second team, 2018-19 ALL-ECAC honorable mention), Evan Wang (2019-20 MACC second team), Michael Riley (2018-19 MACC second team), and Scott Bolen (2016-17 MACC second team).

 Before joining Hood, Westerlund was the head varsity boy’s basketball coach at Harford Christian High School in Maryland from 2013 through 2016. Harford Christian won the Maryland Association of Christian Schools Athletic Conference (MACSAC) in each of Westerlund’s three seasons at the helm. In the 2015-16 season, Harford Christian won the Bob Jones University National Invitational Tournament and reached the Maryland Christian School Tournament Division 1 Championship final for the first time in school history. Westerlund coached 16 All-MACSAC players, six All-Harford County players, and one DMVElite All-State player.

 Westerlund started his career as the associate head varsity boy’s basketball coach and junior varsity head coach at Harford Christian in 2010. In the 2012-13 season, the JV team won its first-ever conference title.

 A 2013 graduate of Lancaster Bible College with a degree in Professional Counseling – Psychology and Bible, Westerlund played three sports while in college. He was a four-year men’s soccer player and earned All-North Eastern Athletic Conference first-team recognition in 2011. Westerlund was an outfielder for the baseball team in his sophomore and senior years and a guard for the men’s basketball program as a freshman.

 Westerlund went on to earn a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2016.