Red Storm Director of Athletics Chris Monasch last week introduced Joe Tartamella – whose nine-year coaching tenure as an assistant at St. John’s included four NCAA Tournament appearances – as the eighth head women’s basketball coach in St. John’s University’s 38-year program history.

Tartamella was formally introduced as the new head coach on Friday at a press conference held in Carnesecca Arena.

“[Joe] has been an integral part of the evolution of our program to national prominence,” said Monasch. “Along with many others in the women’s basketball world, we see Joe as a rising star.”

Regarded as one of the top up-and-coming mentors in women’s basketball, Tartamella’s coaching career has been forged over a nine-year tenure assisting St. John’s all-time winningest coach Kim Barnes Arico (2003-12).

He has been an integral part of a staff that has been to four NCAA Tournaments, with an undefeated record in the First Round, including St. John’s run to its first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 in 2012.

“It has been a dream come true for me to accept the opportunity St. John’s has offered,” Tartamella said. “Since I have been here, I have seen first hand the willingness the University has shown to continue to make women’s basketball a priority at this school.”

Tartamella is also known for his recruiting prowess and has consistently brought in top-rated talent for the Red Storm. Highlighting his role as recruiting coordinator was the 2009-10 class that ESPN.com ranked as 10th best in the nation and No. 1 in the Big East.

The 2012-13 Red Storm squad returns four starters, eight letter winners and 79 percent of its scoring from its 2011-12 team that posted a 24-10 overall record and advanced to the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.