Blair Estarfaa Named Head Women's Basketball Coach at Buffalo State
Buffalo State Sports Information Department
BUFFALO, NY – Blair Estarfaa has been named the head coach of the women's basketball program at Buffalo State, Director of Athletics Renee Carlineo announced on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Estarfaa will officially join the department on Monday, June 5.
"We are ecstatic to welcome Blair Estarfaa back to Buffalo as the next head coach of our women's basketball program," Carlineo said. "He is an excellent coach, leader, and mentor, and is the perfect choice to guide our current and future student-athletes."
"Blair demonstrated strong basketball knowledge, a commitment to academic and athletic excellence, and great energy and enthusiasm throughout the interview process. His 'Sometimes You, Sometimes Me, Always Us' approach and coaching philosophy will translate to the supportive and successful team culture that we're looking for."
Estarfaa returns to the Buffalo area after spending the 2022-23 season with the Syracuse University women's basketball program, working as the video coordinator and director of player personnel. He was responsible for the breakdown and exchange of film for practices and games, professional and personal development of student-athletes, and served as acting court coach when required.
Prior to Syracuse, Estarfaa was part of the women's basketball staff at the University at Buffalo from 2019 to 2022. He began his tenure with the Bulls as director of basketball operations, managing the team's budget, coordinating practice and game schedules, and was the program's compliance liaison and helped to organize community outreach and fundraising opportunities.In 2020, Estarfaa was promoted to assistant coach, helping Buffalo to a 40-18 record over two seasons. He helped the Bulls win the 2022 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship, earning an automatic qualifier into the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Estarfaa worked primarily with the Bulls' guards, mentoring 2022 Honorable Mention All-American Dyaisha Fair, 2022 MAC Freshman of the Year Georgia Woolley, and 2021 All-MAC Freshman and Defensive Team selection Cheyenne McEvans. The Buffalo backcourt also accounted for 75% of the team's point total in his two seasons.
Estarfaa made the switch to the women's game after a three-year stint as assistant coach, and head JV coach, of the men's program at Daemen College from 2017 to 2019. In Blair's two seasons on the sidelines, the Wildcats accumulated a 46-14 record. The team also won the 2019 ECC Regular Season Championship and was ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation. He mentored multiple all-conference players while at Daemen, including the East Region Player of the Year and Player of the Year Finalist, Andrew Sischo. 
Estarfaa began his coaching career as an assistant coach of the men's basketball program at Alfred University shortly after graduating from SUNY Cortland in 2016. His duties included planning day-to-day operations, player development, film breakdown, and recruiting. He helped bring in a recruiting class that went on to be pivotal in Alfred's NCAA Tournament run in 2019 that culminated in a 24-win season.
No stranger to the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) in his time as a student-athlete, Estarfaa played three seasons for the men's basketball team at SUNY Cortland from 2013 to 2016. In his senior season, he captained the Red Dragons to a SUNYAC Title and a NCAA Tournament appearance, averaging 15.4 points per game on the way to first team All-SUNYAC and second team All-Region honors.
Estarfaa completed his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science/Sport Studies from Cortland in 2016 and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
A Cheektowaga, NY native, Estarfaa averaged 25 points per game as a senior at Maryvale High School, earning ECIC III Player of the Year and fifth team All-State recognition in the process.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT BLAIR
"Blair comes from a winning pedigree and has perfected the formula for winning at Daemen, Buffalo, and Syracuse. I'm so proud of the steps he's taken and can't wait for everything that he will accomplish in his future endeavors. I'm excited to support him as he takes Buffalo State to new heights!"
Felisha Legette-Jack
Head Women's Basketball Coach – Syracuse University
"Buffalo State got a great one in Blair. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and he was a crucial part of two of our best years at Daemen as a coach. I'm looking forward to watching him succeed at Buffalo State!"
Mike MacDonald
Head Men's Basketball Coach – Daemen University
"Blair had an outstanding playing career in the SUNYAC, and knows what players need to do in order to be successful in the conference. He has had very diverse coaching experiences that have prepared him to elevate the Buffalo State women's basketball program to a new level. He will be a great mentor and role model for his players, and will ensure that his teams will represent Buffalo State with a set of core values that the institution expects of its student-athletes."
Tom Spanbauer
Retired Head Men's Basketball Coach – SUNY Cortland
"Blair is the total package that brings a winning pedigree from his previous experiences. His energy and passion were on full display when he was an assistant at Daemen and Buffalo. Blair is an ultimate professional who will be a great role model and leader for the young women he gets to coach. I look forward to watching Blair take Buffalo State Women's Basketball to new heights!"
Jada Pierce
Head Women's Basketball Coach – Niagara University
"Blair is a Buffalo guy whose passion for the area is matched only by his passion and love for the game of basketball. He is a true players' coach who puts an emphasis on culture building, while also demonstrating a great knowledge of the game. As a fellow Western New Yorker, I am so excited to have a rising star like Blair back in the Buffalo community, and I look forward to following his success in the coming years!"
Sarah Tranelli
Director of Athletic Communications – University at Buffalo
"AWESOME HIRE! I loved working with Blair this year. He's a great person with good intentions and he's a great teammate."
Olivia Coiro
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications – Syracuse University
