Sam Schlosser is set to enter his 13th season as an assistant coach for Penn State Harrisburg’s men’s basketball program in 2026-27.
Most recently, he helped lead a young Penn State Harrisburg squad back to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in six seasons after a memorable run in the United East Championship Tournament culminated with the program's fourth conference title in 2025-26. The Lions erased a late deficit in the final minute, made a defensive stand in the closing seconds, and defeated Cairn in thrilling fashion in the United East Championship Game before narrowly falling at No. 12 Tufts in NCAA Tournament First Round action. Individually, three players in Dylan Moore (second team), Jordan Spencer (second team), and Chris Henderson (third team) secured United East All-Conference recognition.
He helped guide the program to 18 victories and the semifinal round of the United East Championship Tournament in 2024-25 after helping lead Penn State Harrisburg to the most successful season in program history the year prior. In 2023-24, the Lions won a program-record 25 games, captured the United East Championship, and made their third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. That March, Penn State Harrisburg defeated Hood in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament - the program's third NCAA Tournament victory in four years. Schlosser helped lead the Lions to the semifinal round of the United East Championship Tournament in 2022-23. In 2021-22, Schlosser helped guide Penn State Harrisburg to another of the most successful seasons in program history as the Lions won a program-record 24 games, captured a second consecutive United East Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 for the second straight season. In NCAA action, the Blue & White earned a double-digit victory over No. 9 St. Joseph (Conn.). In 2019-20, he helped lead Penn State Harrisburg to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and victory (over No. 6 Johns Hopkins) following a historic conference championship victory that winter.
During his time manning the sideline as a member of head coach Don Friday’s staff, Schlosser also helped transition the Lions into a new era of Capital Athletic Conference (now Coast-to-Coast Conference) competition, as well as to wins over nationally and regionally-renowned programs the likes of Christopher Newport, Lebanon Valley, and York (Pa.). With Schlosser’s help and guidance, Penn State Harrisburg has amassed a pair of NCAA Tournament victories over top-10 teams, two NCAA Tournament appearances, and a pair of United East (formerly North Eastern Athletic Conference) Championships. Individually, players have garnered two preseason all-America nods, five all-region accolades, four conference major awards, a pair of NCAA Statistical Championships, and 11 all-conference honors.
Schlosser earned his degree in Religious Studies from Elizabethtown College after putting together a standout career on the court at Lancaster Catholic High School. He is also the son of legendary former Etown head coach Bob Schlosser, who led the Blue Jays to the national title game of the 2002 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
