Stony Brook has hired longtime Ohio State assistant Jeff Boals as its men's basketball coach, the school announced Saturday.

"My focus during this search was to find the right person who could lead Stony Brook men's basketball to new heights, and Jeff Boals is the right guy at the right time," athletic director Shawn Heilbron said in a statement.

Boals had been at Ohio State for the past seven seasons, helping the Buckeyes win three Big Ten titles and reach the Final Four in 2012. He was tasked with coaching the defense and played a major role in the development of D'Angelo Russell.

Prior to Ohio State, Boals also spent time at Akron, Robert Morris and Marshall.

Boals replaces Steve Pikiell, who left Stony Brook last month to become the head coach at Rutgers. Pikiell led the Seawolves to the NCAA tournament this past season; he won at least 20 games six of the past seven seasons.

"I look forward to working with the team, building upon the success of last season and continuing it into the future," Boals said in a statement. "I can't wait to get started."