Raru Archer Is Back at Lackawanna and the NCAA DII Is Not Ready For It
Hold up, fam, you are NOT going to believe what dropped! Lackawanna College is making a HUGE move for their men's basketball program, jumping into NCAA Division II, and guess who they tapped to lead the charge? Former head coach Raru Archer! He's back, effective June 16th, ready to steer the ship into the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. This isn't just a coaching hire, this is a statement. They're serious about this D2 leap!
He's Been Here Before, and He's Won
This isn't Archer's first rodeo with the Falcons. Dude started as an assistant in 2008, climbed the ladder, and by 2012, was head coach, leading them to a Region XIX championship! He even snagged Region XIX Coach of the Year. Talk about knowing the program, right? After that, he went on a tour de force, hitting multiple NCAA Division I programs. He was an assistant with the women's teams at Sam Houston State and Long Beach State. At Long Beach, he mentored All-Big West selections, including two All-Freshmen in the 2024-2025 season and a first-team All-Big West pick. At Sam Houston, he coached two all-conference selections, a 2022 All-WAC Defensive team selection, and a 2021 Southland Player of the Year! The Bearkats even bagged a program-record nine-straight wins in 2019-2020 and a school-best 14 wins. On the men's side, he was an assistant at Norfolk State, helping develop guards, guiding two to All-MEAC honors. This guy has been EVERYWHERE, developing talent at every level.
Trade on Every Game with Kalshi
Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.
A Proven Leader for a New Era
Director of Athletics Erik Larson isn't mincing words, calling Archer a guy who "brings a proven track record of player development, recruiting, and program leadership at multiple levels of collegiate basketball." Larson says Archer's ability to "develop talent, foster team culture, and ensure student-athlete success both on and off the court aligns perfectly with our departmental priorities." And going D2 is no joke. Larson emphasized it's "critical that we bring in coaches who understand the standards, expectations, and commitment required at this level." Archer's D1 experience and his "strong background in compliance, recruiting, and player development" make him a perfect fit for this "growth." Archer himself said it, "I’m genuinely excited to return to Lackawanna College and lead the men’s (basketball) program." He's ready to "build on that foundation and tradition" and "make a positive impact." This isn't just a job for him, it's a mission, a "chance to mentor young men, help them grow both on and off the court, and build a legacy that lasts beyond wins and losses." He’s committed to a culture of "hard work, character, and pride." You can feel the energy!
Look, the Falcons have been on the cusp, right? Region champions in that wild, pandemic-shortened spring 2021 season, but they’ve seen some ups and downs. They made playoff runs in 2023, 2025, and this past 2025-2026 season, going 16-16, winning three straight region games to get there, even snagging a first-round road win before falling in the semi-finals. We saw Latrell Mark and Jaksa Pejovic both nab All-Region XIX Second-Team honors. Now, with Archer back, and the HUGE move to NCAA Division II on the horizon for the 2026-2027 season, it's about building a consistent winner, a program that doesn't just make the playoffs, but thrives in a new, tougher conference. Get ready, because this is going to be an insane ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.