The 2013-14 season was Don Friday's first as the head coach of Penn State Harrisburg's men's basketball program.  In his first year at the helm and the team’s first year competing in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), Friday led the Lions to wins over a number of renowned mid-state schools including Gettysburg, Lebanon Valley and York (Pa.).  He also led the Blue & White to the program’s first-ever victory over a nationally-ranked team when his men defeated 14th-ranked Christopher Newport this past January. 

From 2008-2012, Friday was the head coach at Division I Saint Francis (Pa.).  Under Friday’s watch, the Red Flash competed against some of the nation’s most storied programs, including North Carolina, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh.  During his four-year stay at Saint Francis, Friday led the Red Flash to back-to-back Northeast Conference (NEC) playoff appearances in 2010 and 2011.  The 2010 postseason berth was the team’s first since 2005.

Prior to his time at Saint Francis, Friday was the head coach at Lycoming, where he manned the program’s helm from 2003-2008.  In 2004, Friday’s squad won the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Tournament title and ranked second in the nation in rebounding amongst Division III teams.  He was named the MAC Coach of the Year in 2006 and again two years later when he led the Warriors to the 2008 MAC Commonwealth regular season championship.

Friday also has over a decade of assistant coaching experience to his credit, including stops at Bucknell from 1994-2003, where he served under highly respected head coach Patrick Flannery , and Lebanon Valley, his alma mater, from 1989-1994.  Friday was a member of the Dutchmen staff that led LVC to an NCAA Division III national championship victory in 1994.

"First and foremost, my coaching staff and I will be committed to making our university the best possible place for all students to come together and grow into productive and happy citizens," said Friday.  "In addition, we are here to build a program capable of consistently winning at the highest level by emphasizing teamwork, commitment and hard work.

"Our program's values are simple:

1.            Honor, respect and taking pride in the Penn State name and tradition. 

2.            Strive for academic excellence in our areas of study.

3.            Develop a culture of leadership, accountability and integrity on and off the court."

Friday took the reigns of Penn State Harrisburg’s men’s basketball program following a brief stint as an assistant at Susquehanna a year ago.  He earned his MBA and his Bachelor’s of Science in Management from Lebanon Valley.  He currently resides in Annville, Pa. with his wife Amy and son, Donald.