5/4/23
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – The Lackawanna College Athletics Department is announcing that Landon Gabriel, Lackawanna College men's basketball coach for the past three seasons, has resigned from his position, effective immediately, and will be succeeded by his assistant coach, Kirk Fallon, as the next head coach for the Lackawanna College men's basketball program.
 
Gabriel, a Northeast PA-native who won a Region XIX championship in his first season and guided the Falcons to a Region XIX title game appearance this past year, has decided to step down to focus on his professional and family life – including his upcoming wedding this summer.
 
"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," said Lackawanna College Director of Athletics Erik Larson. "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."
 
Gabriel was 33-39 in his three seasons in charge, helping the Falcons to the 2021 Region XIX championship, their first in ten years, and winning 18 games last season, the best output for the Falcons in five seasons, and more wins than his first two years combined.
 
His successor, Fallon, takes over after spending three years under Gabriel as his top assistant. Kirk, a northeast PA native, is known across the region for his experience at both the high school and collegiate levels.
 
"It's hard to express just how excited I am to continue building what coach Gabriel has started here at Lackawanna," says Fallon. "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."
 
Prior to Lackawanna, Fallon spent two seasons as the head coach at Susquehanna Community HS, where he helped achieve two of the best seasons in Lady Sabers history, guiding the program to a pair of PIAA District II championships and state quarterfinal berths, compiling a 40-17 record in two years. Before that, Fallon spent four years as an assistant at Keystone College, where he helped coach multiple Colonial State Athletic Conference first and second teamers, as well as helping the Giants make the CSAC playoffs.
 
"Kirk has a commitment and passion for the game and a love for Lackawanna College," says Larson. "I am confident Kirk will provide a smooth transition in the program and is a coach who will continue to recruit great students, great people, and great athletes."
 
Fallon will begin building his staff and maintaining his roster, with an eye on continuing the positive momentum the program had begun to build.
 
"Working with coach Gabriel over the last three years has been the most beneficial experience in my coaching career, says Fallon, "He allowed me to assist in all aspects of the program, and it has prepared me for this role.
 
"Where the program stands now, I think we're in a place where we expect to compete for a region championship year-in and year-out. One of our biggest goals here will continue to be to develop student-athletes into the best version of themselves, and give them the exposure and opportunity to find another great home after they leave Lackawanna College."