Shaheen Holloway: The man behind Saint Peter's March Madness success

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The Saint Peter’s Peacocks became the first No. 15 seed in NCAA tournament history to reach the Elite Eight after a stunning 67-64 win over third-seeded Purdue Friday night. Behind their run is a coach whose history as a gritty college player is helping this small New Jersey school reach improbable heights. 

A native New Yorker, Shaheen Holloway has always remained loyal to his roots. Born in Queens, Holloway played high school basketball just over the river in Elizabeth, New Jersey, at St. Patrick's, where he became regarded as one of the top prospects in the nation. 

SAINT PETER’S CAPTIVATES THE NATION IN UNLIKELY MARCH MADNESS RUN, FRAN FRASCHILLA SAYS 

Head coach Shaheen Holloway of the St. Peter's Peacocks during a television interview after beating the Purdue Boilermakers during the Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia March 25, 2022.  (Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

After turning down offers to play at powerhouses like Duke and Georgia Tech, Holloway attended Seton Hall in New Jersey, where he played a pivotal role in ending a Pirates’ NCAA Tournament drought and became one of the program’s all-time greats.

Holloway returned to New York to start his coaching career, making a name for himself at Iona College, his alma mater and, eventually, Saint Peter’s. 

"That's who I am," Holloway told ESPN in an interview this week. "That's me as a person. When someone is loyal to me, the loyalty is [given] right back. I'm the type of person who wanted to go for challenges."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Shaheen Holloway, a 5-foot-10 point guard from St.