The root of Ed Ehmann’s success as a coach, educator, and administrator can in many ways be traced to his college basketball career at Dowling College.

In 1967 Ed answered a recruiting call from Adelphi Suffolk coach Frank Layden. Layden thought that a 5’9” kid from Saint Anthony’s who had only played CYO ball, might be able to fill the basketball roster for the school that would eventually become Dowling College. Ed grew to 6’1” during his freshman year, and was named the teams Most Improved Player under new coach Dick Berg. In 1970, Dowling won the Central Intercollegiate Athletics Conference title with Ed as the team’s sixth man. This marked Dowling College Basketball’s first championship ever. In his senior year Ed was a starter, and was named captain of the team. That season Ed set the record for most consecutive free throws made, a record that still stands today. Former coach Dick Berg describes Ed as: “A role player who developed tremendously as the program grew. He understood his abilities, and was always ready to put the team first.”

Ed graduated in 1971 with a BA in English, and took a teaching position in the Smithtown School District after serving in the United States Army for two years. In 1975 Ed had the opportunity to begin his coaching career by working with former teammate Bob Drzal at LaSalle Military Academy. Ed coached junior varsity basketball at LaSalle from 1975-1980. In 1980 he took over the girls varsity team at Smithtown East High School. During a ten-year span the team made the playoffs eight times, the Final Four five times, and won the County Championship twice.

In 1990 Ed chose to leave coaching in order to pursue school administration. Starting as Assistant Principal in the Smithtown School District, Ed was named Principal of the Smithtown Middle School in 1996. In 1999 Ed was named Principal of Smithtown High School, and has become one of the most highly regarded school administrators on Long Island. He currently sits on the Board of Dowling College Principals Academy.

Ed and his wife Susan, whom he met while both were attending Dowling, reside in Stony Brook. Their two children, Marissa and Michael, are both attending college.

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