Cameron Conover begins his 10th year and 9th season (2020-21 season cancelled due to Covid-19) as SUNY Oneonta’s head men’s basketball coach. Conover was named head coach on August 26, 2016.
During his first eight seasons at the helm, the Red Dragons have achieved a high level of success, on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. Conover has the most wins of any coach in any eight-year stretch in the history of the program. They have also qualified for the playoffs all eight seasons and his eight SUNYAC playoff wins are the most in the history of the program.
During the 2024-25 season Oneonta qualified for the postseason for the eighth consecutive season. The season was highlighted by several big victories including a come from behind win versus NCAA tournament qualifier Westfield State. In addition, the Red Dragons had a perfect 3-0 record in overtime games. Oneonta traveled to California where Conover led the Red Dragons to a sweep of west coast powers Chapman and Occidental. The season also featured the Red Dragons playing two Division I opponents Binghamton and Albany.
The 2023-24 year saw Oneonta advance to the postseason for the seventh consecutive season. The Red Dragons upset Brockport on the road in the quarterfinals of the SUNYAC tournament. Two players, Xavier Hill and Elijah Castillo were named all-conference. Senior point guard, Graham Wooden was named a recipient of the prestigious SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, which is the highest honor that SUNY bestows upon students.
During the 2022-23 season, Conover won his 100th career game and became the fastest coach to 100 wins in program history. Conover led the Red Dragons to 13 conference wins, for the second consecutive season. The team advanced to the playoffs for the sixth straight season, and two players were recognized as All-Conference performers.
During the 2021-22 season, Conover led the Red Dragons to 13 conference wins, good for 2nd most conference wins in program history. The team advanced to the championship game for the 3rd time in Conover’s five seasons. Four players, Mike Ortale Jr., Dylan Trombley, Daniel Derice, and Frankie Williams were recognized as All-Conference players.
During the 2019-20 season, Conover led the Red Dragons to 14 conference wins, which set the record for most conference wins in a season. The team advanced to the conference final four for the fourth consecutive season. The team was regionally ranked for the 3rd time in four seasons.
Four players: Kevin Mackin, Harrison Deegan, Andres Rivera, and Joe Bull were recognized as All-Conference performers. In addition, Kevin Mackin was named SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the year for the second time in three years.
During the 2018-19 season, the Red Dragons advanced to the conference final four where they lost to the top seed in double overtime. The team was regionally ranked for just the fourth time ever. Junior Kevin Mackin and sophomore Joe Bull earned All-Conference honors.
During the 2017-18 season, Conover led a freshmen and sophomore dominated team back to the playoffs where the Red Dragons upset Cortland and Brockport to advance to the SUNYAC championship game. Kevin Mackin was named SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the year. The consecutive appearances in the championship game were a first in school history.
In 2016-17, Conover led Oneonta to the SUNYAC championship game for just the third time in school history. Under Conover’s leadership, seniors Mikey McElroy, Lawrence Coleman, and Frankie Kelly all had banner seasons. McElroy became Oneonta’s all-time leading scoring on January 10, and went on to earn All-Conference, All-Region, and All-District honors. Coleman and Kelly both scored their 1000 career points on January 20 and February 17 respectively. Coleman earned All-Conference and Kelly finished 7th in the nation in assists per game.
Conover implemented an up-tempo offense, which saw Oneonta lead the SUNYAC in scoring (85 ppg), good for 28th in the nation. The Red Dragons also shot an impressive percentage (50%) from the field, finishing eighth in the nation.
In recent years, Conover has recruited top basketball talent nationwide, from California, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Jersey, and New York. He searches for individuals who are both unselfish, passionate players and strong, student leaders. Not surprisingly, his recruits have been successful both on and off the court, as his players have received numerous All-SUNYAC awards and landed prominent internships and careers.
“There are so many great things about Oneonta - great location, outstanding education, exceptional facilities, and awesome people. We have great guys in the program, and we will continue to attract talented and high character men to Oneonta. Our team plays an exciting, aggressive brand of basketball that is highly entertaining and fun to watch. Our players strive for excellence in all areas of life and compete on a daily basis.”
Prior to coming to Oneonta, Conover spent 11 years at Plattsburgh. During his tenure at Plattsburgh, Conover was instrumental in building Plattsburgh into a regional power. He was the coordinator of the programs' highly successful recruiting efforts, which produced three All-Americans and three SUNYAC Players of the Year. The Cardinals won four SUNYAC tournament championships, four regular season championships, competed in
seven NCAA tournaments, and had six 20-win seasons. With the help of Conover, the Cardinals also advanced to the “Sweet 16” twice.
In addition to his coaching duties, Conover taught Plattsburgh’s NCAA CHAMPS Life skills program. He also served as the faculty sponsor for SAAC.
Conover came to Plattsburgh after working for one season as an assistant coach at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, Calif. Prior to that, he was the freshman coach at Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California.
Conover began his collegiate playing career at Champlain College in Burlington, Vt., helping the junior college program to a No. 4 national ranking during his freshman year and a regional championship in NJCAA Division I the following season. He completed his career on an athletic scholarship at the University South Carolina-Aiken, an NCAA Division II program, and earned a bachelor's degree in communications.
Conover earned a master's degree in administration and leadership at Plattsburgh State.
Conover, lives in Oneonta with his wife Jillian, son Coleman, and daughter Chloe. He is actively involved in the community as coach of Oneonta Little League baseball, Oneonta soccer, and runs various basketball camps and clinics throughout the year.
