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Sean Westerlund was named the second head coach in Bryn Athyn College men’s basketball history in April 2020.
In addition to his duties as head coach of men's basketball, Westerlund is the Sports Information Director.
Year four with Westerlund at the helm was historic. The men's basketball team finished 20-9, to improve their win total for the fourth straight year while setting a new single season wins record. On the way to 20 wins, Westerlund became the program's all-time winngest coach and was tabbed as United East Coach of the Year for the second straight year. The season was magical as the Lions won the United East Regular Season Championship with a dominant 15-1 conference record, the United East Conference Tournament Championship, and secured the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance. In addition to setting the single season win's record in the 2024-25 season, the Lions set the program's single season conference win record with 15. The team also set the win streak record with 15 straight wins and registered 17 straight conference wins and counting. With the championship win, Westerlund led Bryn Athyn to the program's first playoff win. The Lions were second in the United East in defensive scoring and 3FG% defense. Bryn Athyn also led the conference in ball protection with the least amount of turnovers per game as well as ranking top 3 in offensive efficiency. The 2024-25 season was a season of great individual accomplishment. The Lions placed a conference high, four student-athletes, on all-conference: Will Little - 1st Team, Jakir Hampton - 1st Team, Keith Bullock Jr. - 3rd Team, and Jalen Jackson - 3rd Team. The Lions also had three players eclipse the 1,000 point milestone in Jakir Hampton, Will Little, and Keith Bullock Jr. Junior guard, Will Little became the program's all-time leading scorer in the NCAA 1st Round game. Senior guard, Jalen Jackson hit the 1500 point milestone for his career as well. The Lions basketball program continue to raise the bar and build on the best stretch in program history under Westerlund.
In year three of the Westerlund era, the men's basketball program took major strides. Westerlund once again led the program to a new single season win record after a 17-9 campaign. The season saw the Lions secure their first above .500 record, most overall wins (17), most conference wins (12), best conference finish (2nd), longest win streak in program history (7), and first home playoff game in program history. The Lions led the United Easy Skye Division in scoring defense, led the entire United East in 3FG% defense while also landing at 14th in the NCAA in 3FG%. The Lions were also ranked as a top 70 defense in all of Division III. In addition to the successful season on the court, Westerlund coached four all-conference players which was a program high. Sophomore guard Will Little became the second player in program history to be tabbed with a 1st Team nod. Jalen Parker and Jalen Jackson were named 2nd Team. Jakir Hampton was given a 3rd Team selection. Jalen Jackson became the fifth player in program history to amass 1000 points. In addition to the player success, Sean Westerlund was named United East Coach of the Year. The Coach of the Year award was the first major award in program history. The Lions continue their best stretch in program history under Westerlund.
In his second full season at the helm, Westerlund the Lions made more history in 2022-23. Under his guidance, the Lions had their best start in school history, their first above .500 record in non-conference play, and the best single season win total in program history with an 11-14 record. The program led the conference in 9 statistical categories: scoring, three-point field goals made, three-point field goals made per game, free throw percentage, steals, steals per game, turnovers per game, and turnover margin. Sophomore guard Jamal Cannady Jr finished sixth in NCAA Division III in scoring and first in free throws made and attempted. Cannady Jr. was named to the D3Hoops Team of the Week while also becoming the first player in program history be named 1st Team All-CSAC. He also garnered 2nd Team All-Area from City of Basketball Love and became the fourth player in program history to reach the 1000 point milestone. Senior forward, Jaryn McCann received Honorable Mention Honors from the CSAC and City of Basketball Love. The Lions also saw their offense and transition offensive efficiency improve to 31st and 50th in NCAA Division III. The two year stretch of competition is the best two years in program history.
2021-22 season was a return to normalcy. In the first season of official competition under Westerlund, the team broke 15 program records and led the conference in ten categories including: scoring, assists, steals, three-point field goals made, free throw percentage, and turnover margin. The The Lions finished ranked near the top nationally in steals (9th), steals per game (10th), and turnovers forced (10th). Freshman guard, Jamal Cannady Jr. ranked third for all freshman in NCAA Division III in scoring and was 5th nationally in free throws attempted and 6th in free throws made. Cannady Jr was the first player in school history to be named to the D3Hoops.com Team of the Week. He also recieved 2nd Team All-CSAC honors for his performance in the season. Junior Jaryn McCann joined Cannady Jr on the all-conference team after being named an honorable mention.Cannady Jr. was also named the City of Basketball Love Division III Freshman of the Year and 2nd Team All-Area. The men's basketball continued their academic excellence receiving the Bryn Athyn College Academic Excellence Award for the second consecutive year for having the highest team GPA for all male teams in the department. The Lions also placed three members of the team on the NABC Honors Court and received the NABC Academic Excellence Award again. The Lions finished the year 7-18, the third highest win total in program history.
In Westerlund's debut season, 2020-21, the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head forcing the CSAC to suspend all conference competition and championships for winter sports. Bryn Athyn was able to participate in a shortened exhibition season. Under the leadership of Westerlund, the men's basketball team placed eleven student-athletes on the Fall and Spring All CSAC Academic Team, and the team was awarded the Academic Excellence Award from Bryn Athyn College for securing the highest team GPA in the 2020-21 academic year. For the first time in program history, two players were named to the NABC Honors Court and the Lions earned the NABC Academic Excellence Award for their work in the classroom.
Westerlund comes to Bryn Athyn after a four-season stint as an assistant men’s basketball coach and recruiting coordinator at Hood College. While at Hood, Westerlund’s responsibilities included: recruiting, opponent scouting reports, game and practice planning, skill development, advanced statistical analysis, and fundraising.
An offensive-minded coach, Westerlund’s offensive tactics allowed the Blazers to lead the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth (MACC) in scoring offense and made 3-point baskets in each of the last two seasons. Last season, Hood ranked 16th in NCAA Division III with 11.0 made 3-pointers per game.
He helped bring to Hood many successful recruits, including Mason Wang (2x MACC first team, 2x D3Hoops.com All-Region second team, 2019-20 NABC All-Middle Atlantic District second team, 2018-19 ALL-ECAC honorable mention), Evan Wang (2019-20 MACC second team), Michael Riley (2018-19 MACC second team), and Scott Bolen (2016-17 MACC second team).
In addition to his coaching responsibilities at Hood, Westerlund also served as an undergraduate admissions counselor for the College for two years.
Before joining Hood, Westerlund was the head varsity boy’s basketball coach at Harford Christian High School in Maryland from 2013 through 2016. Harford Christian won the Maryland Association of Christian Schools Athletic Conference (MACSAC) in each of Westerlund’s three seasons at the helm. In the 2015-16 season, Harford Christian won the Bob Jones University National Invitational Tournament and reached the Maryland Christian School Tournament Division 1 Championship final for the first time in school history. Westerlund coached 16 All-MACSAC players, six All-Harford County players, and one DMVElite All-State player.
Westerlund started his career as the associate head varsity boy’s basketball coach and junior varsity head coach at Harford Christian in 2010. In the 2012-13 season, the JV team won its first-ever conference title.
A 2013 graduate of Lancaster Bible College with a degree in Professional Counseling – Psychology and Bible, Westerlund played three sports while in college. He was a four-year men’s soccer player and earned All-North Eastern Athletic Conference first-team recognition in 2011. Westerlund was an outfielder for the baseball team in his sophomore and senior years and a guard for the men’s basketball program as a freshman.
Westerlund went on to earn a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2016.
