2022 Most Impactful Mid Major Assistants: Men’s Division I

Brandon Chappell - UNLV

Brandon Chappell enters his second season with the Runnin’ Rebels. Chappell was an assistant coach at UNLV in 2021-2022, where he helped the Runnin Rebels to an 18-win season, including double-digit Mountain West Conference victories. Chappell arrived in Las Vegas after four years on the bench for Lamar University, where he was also a standout player. For the first time in seven seasons, Chappell helped lead Lamar to a 20-win season. This past season, he also coached the Southland Conference's Defensive Player of the Year and helped several Cardinals gain first-team all-conference honors. Prior to returning to Lamar, the Beaumont, Texas native spent one season as an assistant coach at Arkansas-Fort Smith (2016-17). The Lions won the Heartland Conference regular season and tournament championships, as well as making an NCAA Division II tournament berth. He was a part of three Heartland Conference All-Tournament selections at Arkansas-Fort Smith, including the tournament MVP. Two all-conference selections, a first-team All-South Region selection, and a NABC First-Team All-American rounded out the team. Chappell also served two seasons as a graduate assistant and recruiting coordinator at Northern Arizona (2014-16). (2014-15). The Lumberjacks set a school record for wins and finished second in the 2015 CollegeInsider.com tournament when Chappell was on the team. Three All-Big Sky players have come out of the program, including the 2015 Defensive Player of the Year.

Brian Merritt - New Mexico State

Merritt is a well-traveled instructor who has made stops in seven different states in addition to a coaching stint in Guam. He will make New Mexico the eighth state on his resume after spending the previous three seasons on staff at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md. Merritt is a "jack-of-all-trades" who began his career in college basketball by driving thousands of miles to camps all over the East Coast. Rick Pitino, the Aggies' newest assistant, began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Louisville from 2003 to 2005 before becoming Director of Operations for the Cardinals. Merritt's time with Louisville was highlighted by his contribution to the Cardinals' Final Four appearance in 2004-05, when they finished with a 33-5 overall record. Merritt led Morgan State to 51 victories on his previous stop, including leading the Bears to the MEAC Tournament championship game in 2021. He has also had several stints in college programs, most recently at Arizona State during the 2015-16 season. He was also an assistant at Texas A&M Corpus Christi (2007-10) and Hampton (2006-07). Merritt served as Director of Scouting/Recruiting for John Lucas Enterprises. In his stint at John Lucas Enterprises in Houston, Merritt helped establish the former NBA star's development camps and assisted in the National Basketball Players Association Top 100 Camp.

Curtis Allen - Pepperdine

Curtis Allen enters his fifth season with the Waves. Allen aided Pepperdine to one of the nation's best turnarounds in his first season with the Waves, a 10-win increase (from six to 16) in 2018-19. In 2021, the Waves won the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) postseason tournament. He started his coaching career under Bone at Portland State, then followed him to Washington State. Allen worked as an assistant for the Vikings for four seasons, from 2005-06 to 2008-09, and helped them to a 77-49 overall record. The team won a school-record 23 games, won the Big Sky Conference Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in both 2008 and 2009. In 2008, Portland State won the Big Sky regular-season championship. Allen coached for Bone during his first five seasons at Washington State (starting in 2009-10) then Ernie Kent for the next four. A 22-win season in 2010-11 and appearances in the 2011 NIT semifinals and 2012 CBI championship round were among his successes with the Cougars. Klay Thompson, a future NBA All-Star, was coached by him (brother of former Pepperdine standout Mychel Thompson). Allen was a standout guard for the Washington Huskies from 2001-2004. 

Dan Rickard - Stony Brook

Dan Rickard will enter his 15th season with the Seawolves. He has assisted in the program's ascension to new heights, assisting in the team's ascension to America East Champions in 2016 and continuing to rebuild to that standard with a new staff. Rickard joined the men's basketball staff in 2007 as an assistant coach and was a part of four America East regular season crowns, three postseason NIT trips, and two appearances in the CBI. Under head coach Steve Pikiell, he was a part of a total revival that included the most successful run in program history. Stony Brook has won 179 games in those eight seasons. Stony Brook has gone 119-47 overall and 67-13 in America East over the last five seasons. In the nine-team league, the 67 conference wins over the last three seasons rank top. The 2015-16 season was Stony Brook's best, as the team won the America East regular season and tournament championships. Rickard aided in the development of a Seawolves offense that has flourished in recent seasons as offensive coordinator. The offense has increased in points per game, field goal %, three-point field goal percentage, assists, and assist-to-turnover ratio in each of the last three seasons. Stony Brook ranked in the top three of the America East in six offensive categories in 2012-13, including leading the conference in scoring (68.0 PPG) for the first time. Rickard has spent more than a decade at Stony Brook, where he was a member of the Seawolves from 2002 to 2004. Over the course of two seasons, he appeared in 14 games for the Seawolves, helping them reach the America East Championship semifinals in 2004, the farthest the program had progressed in the competition at the time.

Flynn Clayman - Southern Utah

Flynn Clayman enters his sixth season with the Thunderbirds. Clayman has played a key role in the Thunderbirds' amazing run, which culminated in a Big Sky Regular Season Championship in 2020-21. 

For the first time since 2001, Southern Utah had back-to-back winning seasons during his first two seasons as an assistant coach. The 2020-2021 season saw the school achieve its highest winning % in program history, with a 14-0 home record. Southern Utah had a recruiting class of nine players in the 2020 summer, including Tevian Jones, who was named to the Big Sky Conference's first team in 2021. Clayman's recruiting network stretches from his hometown of Los Angeles, California, to all corners of the United States and beyond. Prior to coming to Southern Utah, Clayman was the head coach for AUSA Hoops, an organization that assists basketball players grow and find a home in the United States to play collegiate basketball. During his time at AUSA, he led 16 players to NCAA Division I scholarships, including Harry Froling, the 2019 NBL Australia Rookie of the Year. Clayman's first coaching job was as an assistant coach with BTI Basketball Club, an AAU club based in Los Angeles, where he coached Miye Oni, the 2019 Ivy League Player of the Year.

Kevin Devitt - Niagara 

Kevin Devitt enters his third season with the Purple Eagles. The Blazers won 76 games during his four years in Birmingham, including two 20-win seasons (2017-18 and 2018-19); the 2018-19 Blazers were invited to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). During his time, Devitt was instrumental in bringing in two nationally-recognized mid-major recruiting classes, according to Rivals.com. UAB gained Academic Performance Public distinction for having an Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the top 10% of the country throughout the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, in addition to on-court achievement. Several All-Conference USA picks, including William Lee, Chris Cokley, and Jalen Benjamin, were mentored and developed during Devitt's time in Birmingham. Devitt played for Wright State in the 2015-16 season, helping the Raiders win 22 games and reach the Horizon League championship game. Devitt spent three seasons on the UAB staff (2012-15) in various roles prior to his one season at Wright State (director of operations, administrative assistant, and associate director of operations). In 2015, UAB won the Conference USA Tournament for the first time, earning the league's automatic trip to the NCAA Tournament. In the Round of 64, the Blazers defeated Iowa State. Devitt came to UAB after serving as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Roosevelt University in Chicago for the previous three seasons. Devitt was instrumental in reviving the basketball program, which had been dormant for the previous 20 years, and guiding it to a 13-game victory total increase over three seasons. 

Nick Robinson - BYU

Nick Robinson enters his fourth season with the Cougars. The Cougars finished 24-11 and 9-6 in WCC play in 2021-2022. The Cougars advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. After a pair of impressive victories over San Diego State and Oregon, the Cougars were ranked as high as #12 in the AP Poll. Fousseyni Traore was named to the All-WCC Men’s Basketball Freshman squad while Alex Barcello was named First-Team All-WCC. Robinson was instrumental in the Cougars' return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015 in 2020-21. BYU completed with a 20-7 record, including a 10-3 WCC record and an 11-2 mark at the Marriott Center. In five distinct categories, the Cougars were in the Top 25, including eighth in defensive rebounds per game. They also had the 20th best field goal %, 22nd best rebound margin, 25th best assist per game, and 25th best total rebounds per game. Robinson led BYU to a 24-8 overall record and a 13-3 WCC record in his first season. BYU was ranked as high as No. 15 in the polls, their highest ranking since 2010-11, and concluded the season as the 18th best team in the country. BYU's offense was one of the most efficient in the country, ranking first in 3-point field goal percentage, second in assist/turnover ratio, third in field goal percentage, fourth in 3-point field goals per game, and fifth in assists per game.  Robinson worked as an assistant coach for Jim Hayford at Seattle for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons before coming to Provo. For the first time since the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons, he helped the Redhawks win back-to-back seasons. During Robinson's tenure, the Seahawks secured back-to-back postseason berths. Robinson was the head coach at Southern Utah from 2012 to 2016, before joining the Seattle coaching staff. His student-athletes achieved two All-Big Sky picks, 20 Big Sky Academic All-Conference honors, five NABC Honors Court selections, and one NABC Academic Excellence Team Award during his four seasons as head coach of the Thunderbirds (2012-13).

Tyler Ojanen - Northern Arizona 

Tyler Ojanen enters his fourth season with the Lumberjacks. Ojanen's main focus is on the Lumberjacks' post players. Brooks DeBisschop finished his career on a high note under Ojanen's tutelage, averaging career highs of 12.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in the 2019-20 season. On the court, DeBisschop was named to the All-Big Sky Third Team and was a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American in the classroom. He was also named the Golden Eagle Top Male Scholar-Athlete and Big Sky Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He went on to sign professionally for BC Borisfen in Belarus. After a year as the Assistant Athletic Director of Men's Basketball at Saint Mary's College, Ojanen moved to NAU for his second tenure with the Gaels. Prior to his administrative position at St. Mary's, Ojanen spent three seasons as an assistant coach on the men's basketball staff at San Jose State (2014-17). The Spartans improved considerably under Ojanen's leadership, doubling their win total from his first to final season in San Jose. The Spartans won their most Mountain West Conference games since 2010-11 in Ojanen's final season, and their seven conference wins were the most for the program since 1996. Ojanen began his coaching career as the head junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach at Cortez High School in Phoenix from 2005 to 2008. He also spent one season as an assistant coach at Cal State East Bay in 2013-14.

Ben Asher - YG

Ben Asher enters his second season with the Penguins. In Asher’s first year with the Penguins, they finished 19-15 and clinched a berth in The Basketball Classic. Asher spent the previous five years at Rutgers, the last two as Director of Basketball Operations and Recruiting. He also worked for the Scarlet Knights for three years as a Special Assistant to the Head Coach. The Scarlet Knights program has risen to new heights under Asher's leadership, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years in 2020-21. Serving as a liaison to the whole athletic department, including communications, marketing, creative, business operations, and facilities management, was one of Asher's numerous tasks. Asher was nominated to the NABC 30-Under-30 Team in 2020. Prior to joining Rutgers, Asher worked as the Director of Operations at Siena under Jimmy Patsos for a season. The Saints finished the regular season with a 21-13 record and advanced to the CBI postseason tournament. He was an important part of the team's day-to-day operations, including travel, practices, meals, facility utilization, team camps, and recruiting. Asher spent a couple seasons as a Graduate Assistant at North Carolina State. The Wolfpack advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2015, after reaching the ACC quarterfinal and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014.

Alex Pribble - Seattle

Alex Pribble is entering his fourth season with the Redhawks. The 2021-2022 Seattle University men’s basketball season was historic, as the Redhawks won the Western Athletic Conference regular season title and finished with a 23-9 overall record. While uncertainty and change have wrought havoc over the Redhawks in recent years, Seattle U overcame and conquered beyond expectations. A 9-4 non-conference record and a 17-2 home record, and a nine-game winning streak highlighted Seattle’s banner year, which included an 8-0 start to WAC play for the first time in the program’s ten years in the conference. The Redhawks won 20 games in just 26 games, their 15th 20-win season in program history. Their 23 winning season has not been achieved since the 1957-1958 season. The 14-4 WAC record included six road wins leading to the Redhawks first D-1 Conference title. Nationally, the Redhawks' finished the year ranked 13th in three-point field goals per game, 21st in free-throw percentage and 25th in total three pointers. Darrion Trammell and Cameron Tyson were named First Team All-WAC, and other players also received honors. Trammell was also chosen to the WAC Defensive Team and the NABC All-District First Team. Tyson was also named to the WAC All-Newcomer team. Prior to joining the Redhawks, Pribble was the head coach at Saint Martin’s for four years, taking over a school that had gone 6-22 the year before he arrived and immediately transforming it into a national contender. In four seasons with the Saints, he went 83-40 (.675), including back-to-back historic seasons. Pribble guided the Saints to a school-record 26 wins - breaking previous season’s mark - the program’s first Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season championship, a second consecutive NCAA Tournament entry, and the school’s first-ever Sweet 16 appearance in the 2018-2019 season. SMU also reached its greatest national rating in school history, finishing the regular season at the No. 8 in the media poll. 

Ali Farokhmanesh - Colorado State 

Ali Farokhmanesh is entering his fifth season with the Rams. The former Northern Iowa standout guard, has established himself as a top assistant in mid-major basketball. In 2021-2022, Farokhmanesh assisted in the turnaround of the CSU program, which went from 11 wins in the 2017-2018 to three straight playoff invitations, the most wins in back-to-back seasons, and the highest win percentage in program history. This past season, the Rams compiled a 25-6 record and 2nd place finish in the Mountain West. David Roddy, who was recruited by Farokhmanesh and the staff back in 2018, won the Mountain West Player of the Year. Roddy finished the regular season averaging 19.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in league action, while shooting a MW-leading 56.6 percent from the floor.Isaiah Stevens was awarded 2nd-Team All MW as well. In 2020, ESPN named him one of the top 40 coaches (head and assistant) under 40 years old. Farokhmanesh worked on Nico Medved’s staff at Drake University in 2017-2018, helping the Bulldogs to a 10-game improvement over the previous season and their most wins in Missouri Valley Conference play in 10 years. Prior to Drake and CSU, Farokhmanesh spent the previous three seasons at The University of Nebraska as the Director of Player Relations and Development. 

Amorrow Morgan - Loyola Chicago

Amorrow Morgan is entering his second season with the Ramblers. Morgan’s first season on the Loyola staff saw the Ramblers win 25 games, win the Missouri Valley Conference Championship for the second year in a row, and make their third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last five years. During the 2021-2022 season, Morgan helped develop a number of award winners, including Lucas Williamson, Braden Norris, Chris Knight, Aher Uguak, and Ryan Schwieger. Willamson earned both MVC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MVC. Norris earned Third Team All-MVC. Knight was All-Newcomer Team and both Uguak and Swieger were All-Defensive Team. Morgan spent two seasons as an associate head coach at the University of South Alabama after serving as an assistant for the 2018-2019 season. Morgan guided the Jaguars to 54 wins in three seasons at South Alabama, including a 20-11 record in 2019-2020. In 2020-2021, Morgan’s guidance helped guard Michael Flowers earn Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year and first-team all league honors. Morgan is expected to rise through the ranks of college basketball in years to come. 

Andy Hill - New Mexico

Andy Hill enters his second season with the Lobos. Having nearly 20 years of experience on the bench of Division 1 programs, Hill has designated himself to be a well-respected coach in college basketball. In his first season in Albuquerque, he assisted the Lobos to a seven-win improvement despite a schedule filled with Quad-1 and Quad-2 opponents. The Lobos led the Mountain West in scoring and recorded four victories over NCAA Tournament teams including a win over No. 22 Wyoming, the program’s first ranked victory in three years. Before joining The Pit, Hill was a 10-year assistant at Utah. At Utah, Hill helped the Utes reach the ‘Big Dance’ in consecutive seasons (‘15, ‘16), including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2015. In addition, Hill helped guide the Utes to three NIT appearances, including a NIT runner-up finish in 2018. During his time at Utah, Hill was part of a staff that developed three straight first-round NBA Draft picks in Delon Wright, Jake Poetl, and Kyle Kuzma. Utah was the only Pac-12 team to produce three first rounders in three consecutive years in that stretch (2015-2017). The Utes achieved five consecutive 20-win seasons during Hill’s tenure. Prior to Utah, Hill was an assistant coach at Montana for seven years where he helped lead the Grizzlies to three NCAA tournament appearances. The 2005-06 season, the Grizz won their first NCAA tournament game since 1975. Hill also coached at Eastern Washington and then NAIA school, Whitworth College in the early years of his coaching career. 

Anthony Doran - Manhattan 

Anthony Doran is a rising star in college basketball that is well-established and connected in the Northeast. Doran and the Jaspers finished the 2021-2022 season 15-15 and 8-12 in the MAAC. Doran has a long list of accomplishments prior to joining the Jaspers. Doran was the Assistant Coach/Program Recruiter for the New York Lightning H 17U team from August 2016 until March 2018. (EYBL). Doran was in charge of recruiting young men for our middle school and high school travel teams (6th-11th grade), as well as establishing a rigorous workout regimen and tutoring during the off-season. The 17U team is currently competing in the Nike EYBL Peach Jam event. Doran was the Athletic Director/17U Coach for Riverside Church in New York prior to joining the NY Lightning. Doran managed the basketball program's day-to-day operations and arranged practice schedules for all of the teams. They won the Elevate Hoops Invitational Bracket and advanced to the Fab 64 Elite 8 in Las Vegas. Prior to joining Riverside Church, Doran worked at St. John's University as an assistant to the Associate Athletic Director. He was responsible for the school's sporting operations' operational excellence and effective management. Assisting coaching staff with day-to-day activities, such as answering phones, light typing, and putting together recruitment letters. Doran worked as an assistant coach at Brevard Community College from 2003 to 2004. He effectively supervised all aspects of the team's recruitment effort, from prospect evaluation to visit coordination, evaluation, and data recording. For the men's basketball squad, he provided individual instruction. Doran organized the facility and arranged practice times for both men and women basketball players, as well as establishing and enforcing program standards, keeping track of the overall budget and purchasing decisions, and assigning team and individual workouts. Doran also worked at Sonny Vaccaro's famous ABCD Camp.

Austin Carroll - Rhode Island

Austin Carroll enters his fourth season with the Rams. Carroll has compiled a 46-40 record thus far with URI. The former American University standout, started his coaching career with the Arizona Wildcats under Archie Miller’s brother, Sean Miller. Carroll coached the Wildcats for five seasons. He was elevated to assistant coach during the 2018-19 season after serving as assistant director of operations for the previous two years and two years as a graduate assistant with the program. Carroll was in charge of video scouting at Arizona and was in charge of the organization, breakdown, scouting, and presentation of game tape. He was also in charge of player edits for individual players, as well as recruitment videos and film for coaches to evaluate. The Massachusetts native also assisted in the classroom monitoring of the program's progress. Arizona went 135-41 in his first five seasons with the Wildcats, with four NCAA Championship berths and three Pac-12 tournament championships. In 2015, Arizona advanced to the Elite 8 and in 2017, the Sweet 16. Carroll has previously collaborated with Archie Miller on Sean Miller's Team USA U19 team, which won gold at the 2015 FIBA World Championships in Greece. He is an established recruiter for the Rams, primarily in the New England area, in addition to player development and scouting.

Barret Peery - UNLV

Barret Peery enters his first season with the Runnin’ Rebels. Prior to UNLV, Peery was an assistant for one season at Texas Tech. While with the Red Raiders, Peery helped Texas Tech to a 27-10 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. For the first time in school history, the Red Raiders finished 18-0 at home, earning the #3 seed in the Big 12 Championship tournament, where they advanced to the finals for the second time in program history and to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time since the tournament's expansion. Tech ranked first in the Kenpom.com adjusted defensive efficiency rating, holding opponents to 38.6 percent shooting and ranking 11th with teams averaging 60.6 points per game. The Red Raiders finished 12-6 in Big 12 play, including a 9-0 home record versus Big 12 opponents. Prior to Texas Tech, Peery was the Head Coach for Portland State for four seasons. Peery's teams won 54 games in his first three seasons at Portland State, starting with a 20-14 record in his first season. In his second and third seasons, the Vikings went 16-16 and 18-14, respectively, before finishing 9-13 in 2020-21. Peery led the Vikings to their first six-game winning streak in 11 seasons in 2019-20, as well as their second consecutive fourth-place finishes in the Big Sky, their best since finishing third in 2011-12. During Peery's four seasons, his teams went 30-13 at home. Prior to joining PSU, Peery served as the Associate Head Coach at Santa Clara, assisting head coach Herb Sendek in leading the Broncos to their first winning season in four years and a fourth-place finish in the West Coast Conference. Peery has much success. Peery served stops as Head Coach in Junior College for College of Southern Idaho and Indian Hills. In his six seasons as head coach for those respected JC’s, he compiled a 181-29 (.862) record and reached the NCJAA D1 Tournament four times in six seasons. Peery started his career as an assistant coach for Southern Utah where he also played a couple seasons for. 

Ben Tucker - UC Santa Barbara

Ben Tucker is entering his sixth season with the Gauchos. Tucker has compiled a 158-104 (.603) record while on staff with the Gauchos. Tucker was a huge contributor to the Gauchos stellar 2020-2021 NCAA Tournament appearance. The Gauchos finished the 2020-2021 season 13-3 in the Big West and a 22-5 overall record. The Gauchos won both the Big West regular season title and tournament. The 2020-2021 season broke the school record by winning 13 straight games from January 1st to February 27th during conference play. The Gauchos tied a school record with 23 wins in Tucker’s first season at UCSB, and also tied the NCAA’s highest rise in regular season victories from one season to the next, rising from six wins in 2016-2017 to 23 in 2017-2018, a jump of 17 wins. They finished 23-9 overall in that first season, narrowly missing out on the Big West Conference regular season title. UCSB also became the only third team in conference history to progress from single digit wins to 20 or more the following year. The preceding year, the Gauchos finished second in the Big West with a 22-10 overall record and a 10-6 conference record in 2018-2019. Tucker worked at NAU and Arizona before coming to UCSB. After two years as the assistant director of basketball operations at his alma mater, the University of Arizona, Tucker spent one season at NAU. He was in charge of the breakdowns, scouting, and organization of the film. He also took care of the edits for individual players and developed recruiting films. 

Brendan Mullins - Southern Illinois

Brendan Mullins is entering his fourth season with the Salukis. Mullins helped the Salukis become one of the nation’s best surprises in his first season at SIU. The Salukis exceeded ESPN’s BPI, KenPom, and Sports Illustrated preseason predictions. Despite having only three returning players from the previous season’s squad, SIU won ten MVC games, the most ever by a team that was picked last in the league’s preseason poll. During the season, the Salukis had 10-straight home wins and seven-straight MVC wins, both of which were the longest streaks for the program since 2007. Mullins also had a key role in the signing of one of the top recruiting classes in school history. Both Troy D’Amico and Scottie Ebube were listed in the top 10 players in Illinois, with D’Amico being the highest -rated-in-state prospect to enroll with SIU since ‘08. Prior to SIU, Mullins served for two seasons with the Illinois State Redbirds. The Redbirds reached the MVC championship game in ‘18. Mullins was recruited by Illinois State after his launching success with UIC. Mullins was able to assist the program turn around from a 5-win season in 2015-2016 to a 17-win season in 2016-2017. Mullins joined UIC after two years as a DOBO and three years as an assistant at Wright State. Wright State had three 20-win seasons during that time period, including two while Mullins was an assistant. 

Brian Eskildsen - Harvard

Brian Eskildsen is entering his ninth season with the Crimson. Eskildsen has led the Crimson to three Ivy League titles and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2014-2015. For the first time since 2014-2015, the Crimson achieved the 20-win mark in 2019-20, ending with a 21-8 record. Harvard defeated Power-5 league foes Texas A & M and California en route to its fifth-highest victory total in program history, and enjoyed a pair of long winning streaks (8 games and 6 games). After finishing second in the regular season, the Crimson earned a berth in the Ivy League Tournament, but the league and university canceled the event, as well as the rest of the spring schedule, thereby terminating the momentum of the season. Despite the premature end, Noah Kirwood was named first-team all-Ivy, and Chris Lewis, who finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots and field goal % was named 2nd-team. In practically every year he’s been with the school, Eskildsen has been crucial in helping recruit and develop (9) all-Ivy League players, including Seth Towns (All-American), Bryce Aiken (First-Team), and Noah Kirkwood (First-Team). Eskildsen started his career as a program assistant at Tennessee working under Naismith HOF head coach Pat Summitt. Eskildsen switched to the men’s side and worked as a DOBO for New Orleans before he served as a video coordinator for Stanford under Johnny Dawkins for three seasons. In his second season, the program went 26-11, including an NIT Championship. 

Brian Michaelson - Gonzaga

Brian Michaelson just finished his 9th season as an assistant at Gonzaga after serving five seasons in other capacities with the Gonzaga Men’s basketball program. Michaelson has quickly become an integral part of Gonzaga’s recruiting and player development efforts. High-profile professional names like Brandon Clarke, Kyle Wiltjer, Rui Hachimara, Corey Kispert, Byron Wesley, Drew Timme, Nigel Williams-Goss and Johnathan Williams have walked through Gonzaga and have tremendously developed. Michaelson has helped the Bulldogs win 10 straight WCC regular season titles. The Bulldogs reached the Final Four in 2017 and 2021. Michaelson has been a huge factor to the Bulldogs making their 23rd straight NCAA Tournament appearance. 

Brock Morris - Louisiana Lafayette

Brock Morris enters his fourth season with the Ragin’ Cajuns. While on staff, on-court coaching, player development, opponent scouting, and recruiting are among Morris’ key responsibilities. During his three years at Louisiana, Morris served as Acting Head Coach four times. Morris has a perfect 4-0 record with the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Cajuns have grown tremendously as a program over the last three seasons. Louisiana competed for the Sun Belt Tournament Championship in 2021-2022, but fell one game short of an NCAA Tournament berth. The Ragin’ Cajuns Sun Belt Tournament Championship game berth was the program’s first championship game since ‘14. The Cajuns also won multiple games in the Sun Belt Tournament for the first time since 2014. In 2020-2021, the Cajuns won the second seed in the Sun Belt Tournament. In Morris’ last 12 seasons of coaching, Morris has recruited, coached, or assisted in the development of (26) All-Conference selections, 18 All-Tournament Team selections, All-Americans (7), (3) Conference Player of the Years, and two Conference Tournament MVPs. The most notable player Morris has developed is NBA Lottery pick, Elfrid Payton. Morris is regarded as one of the best college coaches in the country. He was named as one of the Top Assistant Coaches in the Sun Belt Conference by his peers in 2020, according to STadium.com’s Jeff Goodman. Morris was also named to the College Coaching Consortium during the 2018 NABC Convention in Minneapolis, where he was one of 30 coaches chosen from throughout the country. 

Chris Acker - San Diego State 

Chris Acker is entering his fourth season with the Aztecs. Acker plays a key role in the success of the Aztecs, which have reached the Mountain West Championship game in each of his first three seasons in San Diego. Acker’s primary responsibilities for the program include recruitment and player development, with a focus on the offense. Matt Bradley, who transferred to SDSU before the 2021-2022 season, was selected Mountain West Newcomer of the Year, first-team All-Mountain West, second-team National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 17, and ESPN and NCAA March Madness national player of the week (Andy Katz). Bradley finished the season in the top 20 of the program’s single-season scoring, field goal attempts, 3-point field goal percentage, efficiency points, efficiency average, and combined points, rebounds, and assists lists. Chad Baker-Mazara was also voted 6th Man of the Year in the Mountain West. The 2019-2020 season was momentous for the Aztecs, and if it had not been for COVID-19, the Aztecs might have challenged for a National Championship. That season, the squad finished the season with the best scoring margin (+15.38/g) and free throw percentage in the Mountain West (77.1 %). The Aztecs were second in field goal percentage (289.8%) and three-point field goal percentage (38.0%), third in three-point field goals (9.09 per game), fourth in offensive rebounds (9.74 per game), and fifth in assists (13.03 per game). Malachi Flynn was the third unanimous All-American in program history. In Acker’s three seasons with SDSU, he has an outstanding 82.6 winning %. 

Chris Cobb - Montana

Chris Cobb enters his ninth season with the Griz. Cobb and the Grizzlies have had exceptional success over his eight seasons in Missoula, averaging 20 wins per season and capturing three Big Sky Conference regular-season titles. Montana also won the Big Sky tournament in 2018 and 2019, and qualified for the NCAA tournament both years. Montana went 52-17 in those two seasons, the most wins in a two-year period in school history. Both seasons, the Grizzlies were ranked in the top 20 of the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 poll. In addition to their 160 victories overall, the Griz are 103-45 in Big Sky play since 2014-15, outscoring every other conference opponent. Montana has reached the Big Sky title game four times in eight seasons with Cobb on the bench, excluding 2020, when the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2014-15, the Grizzlies won the regular-season title before facing Texas A&M in the NIT. Montana faced Nevada in the CBI a year later. In 2017-18, the Grizzlies made their first of two consecutive Big Sky tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Cobb has coached seven first-team All-Big Sky players, four second-team players, as well as the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Newcomer of the Year (twice), and Big Sky Tournament MVP (twice). Cobb joined Montana following four years as an assistant coach at Chico State (2010-11 to 2013-14), where he assisted the Wildcats to three consecutive NCAA DII tournament trips, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2013-14. Working for head coach Greg Clink, he was a member of Chico State's first championship squad in the California Collegiate Athletic Association in 2011-12 (the first in school history). 

Claude Pardue - Tulane 

Claude Pardue is entering his fourth season with Green Waves. The Green Waves saw a 6 win conference improvement this past season. Pardue was hired by Ron Hunter, former Georgia State Head Coach. During Hunter’s eight seasons at Georgia State, Pardue was an integral part of the Panther’s most successful period in team history, which includes six consecutive winning seasons and three NCAA Tournament berths in a five-year period from ‘15 to ‘19. Georgia State won back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Tournament championships in 2018 and 2019, earning the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. Georgia State earned its second consecutive Sun Belt regular season title in 2014-2015, followed by a tournament title before beating No. 3-seed Baylor in the NCAA Tournament first round. That occurred a year after the Panthers won 25 games, the second-most in school history, while also winning the Sun Belt regular season title and qualifying for the NIT. In his role at Georgia State, Pardue oversaw workouts with the team’s guards and wings, contributing in the development of four all-conference guards: Ryan Harrow, Devonta White, D’Marcus Simonds, and R.J. Hunter, who was named Sun Belt Player of the Year twice and was a future first round NBA draft pick. Prior to Tulane and Georgia State, Pardue served as a Video Coordinator for UTEP. 

Cody Fueger - BYU

Cody Fueger is entering his fourth season with the Cougars. Fueger helped the Cougars finish 24-8 overall and 13-3 in the West Coast Conference in his first season at BYU. BYU reached No. 15 in the polls, their highest ranking since 2010-2011, and concluded the season at No. 18/16. BYU’s offense was one of the most efficient in the country, ranking first in 3-point field goal percentage, second in assist/turnover ratio, third in field goal percentage, fourth in 3-point field goal made per game, and fifth in assists per game. In 2020-21, he led BYU to a 20-7 record and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015. KenPom put the Cougars in the Top 30 offensively and defensively, making them one of the only 11 teams in the country to do so. Fueger was important in helping Alex Barcello gain All-American accolades. He was one of four Cougars to be named to the All-WCC team in 2020-21. The Cougars finished 24-11 and 9-6 in WCC play in 2021-2022. The Cougars advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. After a pair of impressive victories over San Diego State and Oregon, the Cougars were ranked as high as #12 in the AP Poll. Fousseyni Traore was named to the All-WCC Men’s Basketball Freshman squad while Alex Barcello was named First-Team All-WCC. Prior to Provo, Fueger was an assistant under Mark Pope at Utah Valley for four seasons. 

Craig Neal - Nevada

Craig Neal enters his fourth season with the Wolfpack. He has led the Wolf Pack to a 48-40 record, a tie for second place in the Mountain West (2019-20), a Paradise Jam Championship, and a semifinal berth in the Mountain West Championship (2021) in his three seasons in Reno. He's also coached six Wolf Pack players to postseason awards, both nationally and in the Mountain West, with Grant Sherfield and Desmond Cambridge, Jr. earning NABC all-district honors after the 2020-21 season. Sherfield was also named to the USBWA's all-district team and was named Mountain West Newcomer of the Year, while Cambridge was named to the All-Mountain West Third Team. This season, Sherfield and Cambridge were named to the Third-Team. Jazz Johnson was named to the Mountain West Second Team and the media third team in 2019-2020. Nizre Zouzoua, a senior, was named Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year by the coaches and media. Lindsey Drew, another Pack senior, was named to the Mountain West coaches defense team for the second time in his career and was named honorable mention by the coaches and media in the 2019-2020 season. Neal was the head coach of New Mexico from 2013 to 2017, compiling a 76-52 record in that time. His first team at New Mexico won the Mountain West Tournament and advanced to the 2014 NCAA Tournament, becoming the first rookie coach in Lobos history to do so. The Lobos finished the season with 27 wins, the most by a first-year head coach at New Mexico, and they were rated 17th in the Associated Press poll. He coached All-American Cameron Bairstow and first-team All-Mountain West selection Kendall Williams on the 2013-14 squad. Hugh Greenwood received honorable mention while Alex Kirk was named to the third team. Both Williams and Kirk were named to the Mountain West's All-Defensive team. Neal was a finalist for two national awards: the Joe B. Hall Award (best rookie coach) and the Jim Phelan Award (national coach of the year). Prior to New Mexico, Neal was an assistant at Iowa and for the Toronto Raptors. Neal played at Georgia Tech where he set the ACC single-season assist record with 303 in 1987–88, posting a league-best 9.5 assists per game while also averaging 7.7 points. 

David Velasquez - San Diego State 

Dave Velasquez enters his 21st season at San Diego State and 10th as an assistant coach. Prior to his appointment as an assistant coach, he spent six seasons as the program’s director of player development. According to KenPom.com, San Diego State had the nation's No. 2 adjusted defensive efficiency at the end of the 2021-22 regular season. Nathan Mensah was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, was named to the All-Defensive Team, and was selected by the coaches as an honorable mention selection. Lamont Butler was named to the league's all-defensive team after ranking No. 2 in the MW with 46 thefts and No. 61 in the country with an average of 1.87 steals per game. SDSU has led the conference in steals in each of the last three seasons, and has also led the league in turnover margin and scoring margin in two of the last three, keeping opponents to double digit points per game less than it scored. In addition, in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, the Aztecs were either first or second in the league in field goal percentage defense. In the last three seasons, the club has ranked in the top ten in scoring defense (No. 3, No. 8, and No. 2), in the top 15 in field goal percentage defense (No. 10, No. 12 & No. 4), and in the top 20 in turnover margin (No. 20 & No. 12) and scoring margin (No. 20 & No. 12). (No. 3 & No. 13). Velasquez has added nothing but excellence to the Aztecs.

Derek Johnston - Liberty

Derek Johnston enters his fifth season with the Flames. In his four seasons under Coach McKay, the Flames have gone 199–104 (.657) overall with a 97–42 (.698) record in the ASUN Conference. The Flames have reached the NCAA Tournament twice and would be a third if not for the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Flames have won an average of just below 25 games per season and have won 11+ games every season in their ASUN 16-game conference season.In 2019, Johnston and the Flames made history by winning the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament game against Mississippi State, a No. 5 seed. The Flames were a No. 16 seed in Liberty's previous three NCAA Tournament participation, and in 2019, Liberty was a No. 12 seed, the highest in school history. The Flames concluded the regular season ranked No. 58 in the NET rankings and No. 56 in the KenPom rankings, breaking the previous school record of No. 181. Since Johnston joined the coaching staff, the Flames' offense has soared to new heights, with the team ranking No. 1 in America in fewest turnovers per game and No. 7 in offensive points per possession in 2020. Johnston worked as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama in Huntsville under head coach Lennie Acuff. Johnston helped the Chargers win two Gulf South Conference (GSC) regular season titles and a GSC tournament title during his three years at UAH. Alabama Huntsville competed in two NCAA Division II tournaments, including hosting the NCAA South Regional in 2016, the same year UAH advanced to the championship game. Prior to joining UAH, Johnston worked as an assistant coach for Williams College, one of the best Division III schools in the country. Williams College advanced the Division III Elite Eight in 2013 and the Final Four in 2014. During his stay in Massachusetts, the team reached the Division III Elite Eight in 2013 and the Final Four in 2014. At Williams College, Johnston was influential in recruiting, including the d3hoops.com National Rookie of the Year, Duncan Robinson (Miami Heat).

Derek Glasser - Rice 

Derek Glasser enters his fifth season with the Owls. This past season the Owls finished 16-17 and clinched a berth into the CBI. He helped the Owls to a 15-13 record in 2020-2021, including two wins in the C-USA Tournament, the first time Rice has won two games in the tournament since 2007. He was also responsible for the team's greatest home record since 2004. Glasser is recognized for his strong development skills and relationship building. Glasser worked as the Video Coordinator for two seasons before becoming an assistant coach. Glasser prepared all post-practice footage for the coaches and squad as the Video Coordinator. In addition, he noted all of their upcoming opponents. Glasser worked as an assistant coach at Caltech the previous year. He played for Maccabi Haifa in Israel and Kalev Cramo in Estonia before coming to Caltech. Glasser was a standout guard at Arizona State where he set a school record by being the first player to score 1,000 points and 500 assists in his career. With 551 assists, he became the all-time leader in assists at ASU. For three years, he was the team captain, and he played in the most games in school history.

Dominique Taylor - New Mexico State

Dominique Taylor enters his second season with the Aggies. Taylor’s first season in Las Cruces was exceptional. With Taylor on staff, NM State won its fourth regular-season Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title in the last five seasons before winning the WAC Tournament and punching its ticket to the NCAA Tournament in 2022. Once in the field of 68, NM State put on one of the best performances of the tournament in the first round. When the Aggies faced #21/21 and fifth-seeded UConn on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y., they upset a lot of brackets throughout the country by defeating the Huskies 70-63. The victory was NM State's first in an NCAA Tournament game since 1993, and it ended the program's 12-game NCAA Tournament losing streak. NM State finished with a 27-7 record, one of the best records in school history. Taylor has had a significant impact on the Aggies' player development this season. Taylor spent a lot of time with the Aggies' backcourt, which included players like Teddy Allen, the WAC Player of the Year in 2022, and Jabari Rice, who was named to the All-WAC Second Team. Allen led both NM State and the WAC in scoring en route to four WAC championships and the title of Most Valuable Player in the WAC Tournament. Prior to their team's run in the NCAA Tournament, Rice and Allen were both named to the WAC All-Tournament Team. Taylor had been an assistant men's basketball coach at MEAC institution Bethune-Cookman University from the start of the 2017-18 season before coming to NMSU in August of 2021. Taylor's four seasons as a member of the Wildcats' coaching staff resulted in a 48-45 overall record, including a 31-17 mark in MEAC matchups. Taylor served as interim head coach at Bethune-Cookman for the final several months after Ryan Ridder took the head coaching position at UT-Martin in late March 2021. Taylor assisted in the development of three MEAC major award winners, including 2017-18 Player of the Year Brandon Tabb, 2017-18 Defensive Player of the Year Soufiyane Diakite, and 2018-19 Defensive Player of the Year Cletrell Pope. With that duo at the helm, Bethune-Cookman won a share of the MEAC regular season title for only the second time in program history. Prior to B-C, Taylor served at Southeastern Illinois College, Chipola College, South Alabama, Daytona State, and Neosho County Community College. Taylor played collegiately for Texas A & M Corpus Christi in the Southland Conference in which he led the Islanders to a Southland’s regular season title before winning the Southland Conference Tournament and earned the program’s first bid to the NCAA Tournament (2007). 

Drew Adams - Bradley  

Drew Adams is entering his eight season with the Braves. Adam has helped Bradley reclaim its place at the top of the Valley in his seven years with the program. Adams was a key recruiter for the Braves, helping to turn the nation’s youngest squad, which had only five victories in 2015-2016, into conference champions and an NCAA Tournament trip just three years later in 2018-2019 – Bradley’s first MVC Tournament title since 1988. In 2020, BU repeated as conference champions, marking the first time the Braves qualified for the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons since 1954 and 1955. In his seven years on campus, Adams has worked directly with and helped bring in six All-MVC honorees – earning the postseason honor a total eight times – and seven MVC All-Freshman honors. For the first time in 12 years, Bradley had multiple all-conference selections in three consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2020, and its six all-rookie honors were the most in the league during that time. Terry Roberts was named conference Newcomer of the Year and first team All-MVC this past season. Prior to joining the Braves, Adams served for the Lobos at New Mexico, where he assisted the Lobos to a 99-36(.733) record, two regular-season league titles, three Mountain West playoff tournament titles, and three NCAA Tournament trips. 

Dustin Ford - Akron

Dustin Ford enters his sixth season with the Zips. This past season the Zips took home the Mid-American Conference Tournament Title and clinched a berth into the NCAA Tournament , the program’s last tournament berth since 2013. Enrique Freeman earned MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Ali Ali was honored 2nd-team All-MAC. Ford has compiled a 63-25 (.716) record in the past three seasons at Akron including a MAC Regular Season Title in 2020. Ford worked as an assistant for five years at Illinois and four seasons at Ohio under John Groce prior to Akron. Ford helped lead the Fighting Illini to a 95-75 overall record and four playoff berths, including an NCAA Tournament berth in 2013. From 2008 to 2012, the coaching team guided the Bobcats to an overall record of 85-56. Ohio won two Mid-American Conference titles and made two NCAA Tournament appearances during that time, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2012. 

George McIntosh - Cal Baptist

George McIntosh enters his ninth season.  The Lancers have a 200-80 overall record in nine years, including a 127-28 home record. McIntosh and the Lancers finished the 2021-22 season with an 18-16 record, their fourth straight winning season since moving up to NCAA Division I and their ninth straight since taking over the program in the spring of 2013. The Lancers went on to defeat The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time. Taran Armstrong, a freshman phenom, was voted WAC Freshman of the Year, giving the Lancers their fourth major award in the WAC. Acquaah was named the 2019 WAC Newcomer of the Year and 2020 WAC Player of the Year, while Boyd was selected the 2020 WAC Newcomer of the Year. At the College Basketball Invitational in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Lancers earned their second postseason berth. The Lancers went 13-10 overall and 6-6 in the Western Athletic Conference in year three of the transition phase, earning the fourth seed in the WAC Basketball Tournament. After the board shortened the eligibility span to two seasons, it was the Lancers' first appearance in the WAC Basketball Tournament. With an overall record of 21-10 and a second-place finish in the WAC standings, CBU recorded its first 20-plus victory season in the Division I era. The Lancers have won 37 games in their first two seasons of Division I competition, setting a new NCAA record for most wins in the first two years of a transition program. McIntosh and the Lancers are in the midst of an ascension, do not be surprised to see banners in the future. 

Graham Bousley - Longwood

Graham Bousley enters his first season with the Lancers. Prior to Longwood, Bousley has a deep list of quality experience. Bousley spent the past three seasons on head coach Jamion Christian's staffs at Siena and Mount St. Mary's, and has seven years of collegiate coaching experience under Bo Ryan, Shaka Smart, and Mike Rhoades. He was the offensive coordinator for George Washington University. Bousley has a track record of fostering talent development. Jalen Pickett, the 2018-19 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and the first freshman in program history to earn National Association of Basketball Coaches District 1 First Team honors, was recruited and developed by him at Siena. Pickett led all first-year players in scoring, assists, and steals, averaging 15.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. The Saints finished eighth in the US in turnovers per game and set a school record with 288 made 3-pointers. Bousley helped Junior Robinson earn Northeast Conference Player of the Year honors at Mount St. Mary's in 2017-18, averaging 22.0 points and 4.8 assists per game. Elijah Long raised his scoring from 5.6 to 15.0 per game in 2016-17, Bousley's first season at the Mount, and was selected first team All-NEC. Bousley started his career as a head student manager at Wisconsin under legendary coach Bo Ryan. Bousley played high school basketball in Los Angeles with Jrue and Justin Holiday and Over his three varsity seasons on the team, he had a 91-7 (.929) overall record, highlighted by a pair of state championships.

Greg Youncofski - LMU

Greg Youncofski is entering his third season with the Lions. Prior to joining the LMU staff, Youncofski served for one season as the Director of Recruiting at UCLA, where he helped the new coaching staff dramatically surpass expectations as the Bruins finished second in the Pac-12. Youncofksi spent one season as an assistant coach at Cincinnati after rising through the ranks as a support staff coach for five years. Youncofski helped the Bearcats to a 28-7 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in his one year as an assistant. Cincinnati finished second in the AAC regular season standings and won the AAC Tournament. He also aided in the development of Jarron Cumberland, the AAC Player of the Year. During his six seasons at Cincy, he helped Coach Cronin lead the Bearcats to a 161-47 record (.774). Youncofski was named to the NABC’s Under Armour 30-under-30 list in 2018. In Youcofski’s first season at LMU, the Lions achieved great success. For the first time since 2005-06, the Lions finished in the top three in the West Coast Conference standings. For the first time in the WCC since 2011-2012, Youncofski assisted in guiding his squad through the COVID-19 epidemic. LMU has a top-100 ranking in the NCAA’s NET, a comprehensive metric for college basketball that considers record, quality opponents faced, and game location, among other factors. LMU’s NET of 95 is the highest since the 1990 Elite Eight season. Youncofski served as a student manager under Bill Self for three years. 

Hamlet Tibbs - Albany

Hamlet Tibbs enters his second season with the Great Danes. After a premier seven seasons as an assistant coach at Vermont, Tibbs was named to Killings' staff. During his time as coach, the Catamounts went 166-61 overall and 92-18 in the America East. During his seven-year tenure, Vermont won four America East Regular Season Championships and three America East Tournament Championships. With 29 wins and a perfect 16-0 conference record in 2016-17, the Catamounts set a school and America East record. Tibbs spent five seasons as a coach at The Albany Academy and was also a member of the Albany City Rocks program before coming to Vermont. Tibbs experience with the Albany area and his success at Vermont, will catapult the Great Danes into the future success in the American East

Jason Levy - Pacific 

Jason Levy enters his second season with the Tigers. For the past 25 years, Levy has worked as an assistant coach, mostly at west coast schools such as Long Beach State, Cal State Northridge, Loyola Marymount, Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, and Portland. He offers to the Tigers first hand expertise of the West Coast Conference. Levy's reputation extends beyond the United States, since he has coached internationally. In Shanghai, China, Levy worked as a basketball coach consultant for the United States Basketball Academy. He worked with high school and college coaches at the Academy, as well as being involved in the establishment of a player development program, scouting reports, and film breakdown strategies. In 2017-18, he also worked as an assistant coach with the Dominican Republic National Team, helping to lay the groundwork for the country's qualification for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Levy earned a reputation as an assistant coach for scouting, recruiting, and directing programs to great turnarounds during his tenure. Prior to joining Pacific, Levy spent the 2018-19 season as a member of the Long Beach coaching staff. He attended Cal State Northridge for four years, from 2013 to 2017. From 2008 to 2013, he spent five seasons at Loyola Marymount, helping the Lions reach the WCC Tournament semifinals in 2010 and 2013. In 2011-12, the program earned its first 20-win season since 1989-90. He assisted in the recruitment of ten All-WCC student-athletes to LMU. He joined the Lions after eight seasons with Cal State Fullerton, where he helped the Titans win four straight seasons, including three in a row with 20 wins or more. For the first time since 1978, CSF won the 2008 Big West Conference Tournament, won the regular season title for the first time since 1976, and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over 30 years. Pape Sow, Scott Cutley, Josh Akognan, Ralph Holmes, and Bobby Brown were among the future pros and award-winning players he helped recruit. Sow, Akognan, and Brown were all NBA players. Levy has a decoration of respected experience and success. 

Jason Ludwig - Santa Clara

Jason Ludwig is entering his seventh season with the Broncos. This past season, the Broncos continued their ascension in the West Coast Conference. Excluding the shortened COVID-19, the Broncos have won 20+ games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1994-1996 when they reached the NCAA Tournament back-to-back seasons. The Broncos finished third in the WCC this past season with a 10-5 conference record. Josip Vrankic and Jalen Williams both earned first-team All-WCC honors and Keshawn Justice received 2nd-Team All-WCC honors. Jalen Williams is projected to be a first-round draft pick in this year’s NBA draft. Ludwig, who began his coaching journey at UCLA as a student manager, has compiled a long list of experience. Before receiving his turn back at Santa Clara as an assistant coach, he spent 10 years at UCLA in various jobs, a year at Santa Clara as a video coordinator, two years at Arizona State as a DOBO, and a year at Mississippi State as a DOBO. His experience working as a support staff member was highlighted during his time at UCLA, where he was a member of the Bruin squad that advanced to back-to-back NCAA Final Fours. Ludwig founded the Young Coaches Social at the Final Four, the Latino Association of Basketball Coaches, and annually hosts a free basketball camp for children in his hometown of Montebello, California. 

J.D. Byers - VCU

J.D. Byers enters his sixth season with the Rams. Byers’ work as a coach over the span of nearly 15 years has not gone ignored. Byers was the recruiting coordinator for VCU’s 2019 class, which was among the best in the Atlantic 10 and ranked in the Top 50 nationally. His efforts helped VCU recruit players that would help the Rams win their first outrights A10 regular season title and return to the NCAA Tournament in 2018-2019. The Rams have reached the postseason in three out of the four past seasons. The 2020-2021 season, the Rams finished second in the A10 with a 19-7 record and an at-large bid as a 10 seed in the West Region despite being predicted to finish ninth in the A10 in the preseason media poll. This past season, the Rams earned an NIT invitation after a 22-10 record and major wins over Syracuse, Vanderbilt, and #25 Davidson. In 2010-2011, Byers worked as a division one assistant at St. Francis (PA) for one season before moving on to Radford, where he was a key part of a team that improved from six wins in his first season to 22 wins and Radford's first NCAA Division I postseason win in its era in his third and final season under Mike Jones. Byers subsequently reunited with his previous boss, Mike Rhoades, at Rice, where he helped turn around a team that had gone from 12 wins in his first season to 23 victories and a postseason appearance in his third and final season.

Jeff Massey - Toledo

Jeff Massey enters his ninth season with the Rockets. Last season, the Rockets went 26-8 and created history by becoming the first team in program history to win back-to-back MAC championships. Toledo’s senior-less team also set a school record for conference wins (17) and won the league by a game over Kent State. All-MAC honors were given to sophomore Ryan Rollins, Junior JT Shumate, and Junior Setric Millner Jr. , respectively. Ra’Heim Moss, a freshman, has been chosen to the MAC All-Freshman Team for the sixth consecutive year. Rollins became only the fourth player in Toledo history to reach 1,000 points in his first two seasons. The Rockets have won 20+ games in a season four of the past five seasons. In the past four years, the Rockets have amassed 89 wins and 3 NIT berths. Massey, a 15-year coaching veteran, assisted Head Coach Mark Schmidt in turing St. Bonaventure into a consistent A10 Conference victor. Starting in 2007-08 and ending with an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011-2012, the Bonnies improved their conference win total in five consecutive seasons. Look for Massey and Toledo to maintain their MAC dominance in the next few seasons. 

Jesse Bopp - FIU

Jesse Bopp is entering his fourth season as an associate head coach at FIU, having been promoted from assistant coach ahead to the 2021-22 season. Bopp has been an assistant coach for three seasons and, in addition to his assistant coaching duties, was designated the recruitment coordinator ahead to the 2019-20 season. The Panthers won 39 games in their first two seasons, the most in program history, including a 19-13 record in 2019-20 before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The team ended with a 9-9 conference record in his second season at FIU, earning the fifth seed in the Conference USA Tournament, the program's highest-ever ranking. Bopp coached two FIU players who were named to the Conference USA Second Team, Osasumwen Osaghae and Devon Andrews. Tevin Brown was recently named to the C-USA third team. In addition to the accolade, Osaghae was chosen to the all-defensive team and received FIU's first-ever Conference USA superlative for Defensive Player of the Year. For the 2018-2019 season at FIU, Bopp reunited with head coach Jeremy Ballard as an assistant coach for the first time. Shaka Smart coached with the two during the 2013-2015 seasons at VCU. The results came fast during their first year together at FIU. FIU concluded the season with a 10-8 record in Conference USA and a 20-14 overall record. The 20 victories matched for the second-most in school history, and it was only the third time FIU had won 20 games or more. The 10 C-USA victories were the most since the league's inception in 2014. The Panthers won their first-ever postseason tournament game at Texas State in the first round of the CIT. This was only the program's second postseason appearance.

Joe Meehan - Bucknell

Joe Meehan enters his eighth season with the Bison. In his first year with the Bison, Meehan was in charge of handling all aspects of team operations, including team travel, recruiting, camps, and video editing and exchange. He was a member of a squad that won the Patriot League outright for the fifth time in the last six years and advanced to the NIT. Following Bucknell's 2016-17 championship season, Meehan was named to the Under Armour 30-Under-30 honor roll, which honors the nation's top young coaches. The Bison finished 26-9 overall, 15-3 in the Patriot League, and won the Patriot League title game 81-65 over Lehigh. Bucknell then lost a hard-fought 86-80 decision in the first round of the Tournament to fourth-seeded West Virginia. Bucknell was 16-2 in Patriot League play in 2016-17 and then swept the Patriot League Tournament, defeating Loyola, Boston University, and Colgate by a combined 60 points. The Bison earned their ninth NCAA Tournament berth after losing 82-78 in the first round to third-seeded Michigan State in Detroit. Bucknell won their fifth straight regular-season crown in 2018-19, and its eighth in the last nine years. Prior to Bucknell, Meehan served as an assistant coach at Randolph-Macon where in his last season at the helm they went 28-3, matching the program record for victories in a season, and won a school-record 25 consecutive games. 

Joe White - Idaho State

Joe White enters his fourth season with the Bengals. White led the Bengals to their first winning season in five years in 2020-2021, with a five-game victory increase from year one to year two. The Bengals finished 4th in the Big Sky Tournament after being expected to place 10th in the preseason poll. It was their first bye since 2015-16. Tarik Cool, Robert Ford III, and Brayden Parker were named to the all-conference team in 2020-2021. Three Bengals have been named to the all-conference team for the first time since 1977-78. White led the Bengals to one of the finest defenses in the NCAA in 2020-2021. ISU finished the season rated first in the Big Sky conference and tenth in Division I in defensive stats, holding opponents to 61.7 points per game. In the Big Sky, the Bengals also placed first in defensive field goal percentage and rebounding defense. White's responsibilities at Idaho State include, but are not limited to, Recruiting Coordinator, Academics, Game Scheduling, Player Development, and Creating and Presenting Scouting Reports, in addition to on-court coaching. Prior to ISU, White was the Head Coach at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon where he led his Lane Titans team to a 27-4 record, Southern Region Championship, and a 3rd place finish in the NWAC Tournament. 

John Montgomery - Hawaii 

John Montgomery is entering his eighth year with the Rainbows. Currently the program's longest-serving assistant, having joined Eran Ganot's initial team in 2015-16. Montgomery teaches the UH post players and is the scouting, passing, and defense coordinator on the court. He also oversees the team's academics and admissions, as well as working with UH's fitness and conditioning staff to manage the Rainbow Warriors' performance and health. In his first season at UH, he guided the Rainbow Warriors win a school-record 28 games, win the Big West regular-season and tournament titles, and win the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Rainbow Warriors led the Big West in rebounding margin (+4.3) that season under his leadership. At UH, he coached Aaron Valdez, Noah Allen, and Zigmars Raimo, who were all-conference players. Valdes was named to the All-Big West second team and was named MVP of the Big West Tournament in 2015-16. Montgomery has compiled a 114-77 (.597) record at Hawaii. Montgomery and the Rainbows are building a dynamic culture in Hawaii. 

John Richardson - Old Dominion

Richardson has been an assistant basketball coach at Old Dominion University and Virginia Polytechnic and State University since August 2008. He has worked as a recruiter, evaluating and recruiting talented student-athletes in this role. Richardson has a lot of basketball talent development experience. He is in charge of scouting analysis, which includes dissecting opponents' offense and defense and supplying highlight films and scouting reports. He assists on-court success and is involved with practice preparation and on-court coaching drills and game strategies. Richardson has established himself as a liaison for community media relations and marketing, as well as liaison for strength and conditioning. He is also the academic liaison in charge of the matriculation process for players, academic meetings, and study hall. Richardson is a versatile coach with 15+ years of coaching experience. There is a laundry list of accomplishments Richardson has been a part of at ODU. The Monarch won the C-USA Regular Season, C-USA Tournament, and were a participant in the NCAA Tournament (Old Dominion Men's Basketball 26-9) in 2019. In 2019, B.J. Stith won C-USA Player of the Year, AP All-American Honorable Mention & All C-USA First Team. Xavier Green was named C-USA Tournament MVP and All-Defensive Team, while Ahmad Caver was named to the All-C-USA First Team. Malik Curry was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team in 2021, and Austin Trice was named Conference USA's Sixth Player of the Year. Trice was named to the second team this year. 

John Rillie - UC Santa Barbara

John Rillie is entering his sixth year with the Gauchos. While on staff with the Gauchos, Rillie had a 158-104 (.603) record. Rillie was an integral part of the Gauchos' NCAA Tournament run in 2020-2021. The Gauchos ended the 2020-2021 season with a 22-5 overall record and a 13-3 Big West record. Both the regular season and tournament championships were won by the Gauchos. During conference play, the 2020-2021 season set a new school record by winning 13 consecutive games from January 1 to February 27. Rillie's first season at UCSB saw the Gauchos tie a school record with 23 wins, as well as the NCAA's largest increase in regular season victories from one season to the next, with a jump of 17 wins from 2016-2017 to 2017-2018. In his debut season at UCSB, they went 23-9 overall, narrowly losing out on the Big West Conference regular season title. In addition, UCSB became only the third team in conference history to go from single digit wins to 20 or more the following year. The Gauchos finished second in the Big West in 2018-2019, with a 22-10 overall record and a 10-6 conference record. He was also chosen to the coaching staff of the Australian National Team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was instrumental in the Boomers' 5-1 record and bronze medal victory over Slovenia. It is Australia's first olympic medal in the sport. Prior to joining the Gauchos' staff, Rillie worked for Boise State from 2010 until 2017. Rillie was also a part of the Australian National Team from 1997 to 2004, and competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics. 

Jonathan Holmes - Miami (OH.)

Jonathan Holmes is entering his first season with the Redhawks. Holmes joins Travis Steele’s staff with much successful experience. Holmes participated in the Best Connect Leadership Symposium with some of the nation's top assistant coaches in 2021-22 as a member of the Elon basketball program, and in Jay Bilis' Coaches Leadership program in 2021. During his stint with the Phoenix, Holmes, who primarily worked with the guards, helped four different members of the basketball team earn all-conference honors. Holmes' major objective with the Phoenix was offense coordination, and he helped Elon to the Colonial Athletic Association Conference Championship game in 2020-21. The Phoenix finished fourth in the CAA in three pointers made per game (8.1) and fifth in total three pointers made that season (154). In eight offensive statistics, including three-pointers attempted, three-pointers made, free throw percentage, and assist to turnover ratio, the Phoenix concluded the 19-20 season rated in the top 100 nationally. Holmes joined the Phoenix after 11 years as an assistant coach with the William & Mary men's basketball team, the last six of which he spent as associate head coach.

JR Blount - Colorado State 

JR Blount, who joined the Colorado State men's basketball program in 2018, is in his fifth season as an assistant coach. He was named one of the top assistants in the Mountain West by Stadium in 2020 for his contributions to CSU's resurgence. Blount helped the CSU program turn around in 2021-2022, going from 11 wins in 2017-2018 to three consecutive playoff invites, the most victories in back-to-back seasons, and the highest win percentage in program history. The Rams finished second in the Mountain West this past season with a 25-6 record. Blount and the staff recruited David Roddy in 2018, and he was named Mountain West Player of the Year. Roddy averaged 19.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in league play, while shooting a league-best 56.6 percent from the field. Isaiah Stevens was also named to the All-MW 2nd Team. He was on Medved's staff at Drake University during the 2017-18 season, helping the Bulldogs to a 10-game improvement over the previous year and their most wins in Missouri Valley Conference play in ten years. Blount spent the previous four years on the Drake staff, including as an assistant coach under Medved. Before joining Medved's staff in 2017-18, he served as the Bulldogs' director of basketball operations for two years before becoming an assistant coach on the previous team for one season. Blount joined the Drake staff in 2014 after three successful seasons at Saint Leo University in Lakeland, Fla., where he was promoted to associate head coach after two years as an assistant for the 2013-14 season. In each of his three seasons on staff, the Lions progressed to the NCAA Division II Tournament, winning the program's first conference championship in 2012-13.

Justin Bradley - Dartmouth

Justin Bradley is entering his sixth season with the Big Green. Bradley, who is regarded as a top instructor and a global recruiter, has coached several all-conference players, including Chris Knight (second team twice), Brendan Barry (second team), and Aaryn Rai (honorable mention). Bradley, who oversaw all recruiting efforts for the Big Green, was essential in securing some of the top recruiting classes in Dartmouth history. His specialty as a global recruiter enabled for a roster with 13 different states and four other nations represented. The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) nominated Bradley to its coveted 30-under-30 Team in 2018, recognizing him as one of the game's top young coaches. Bradley served two seasons at Williams College after his first year in Hanover (2015-16), helping the Ephs reach the NCAA Division III Final Four in 2017 and finishing both seasons ranked sixth in the country. He was involved in all facets of the recruiting process, assisting with game preparation and strategy while also managing perimeter player development. During his time at Williams, three players won All-NESCAC honors, including 2018 Player of the Year and second-team All-American James Heskett. Bradley is a promising young college coach from the respected Ivy League.

Justice Joyner - St. Mary’s (CA)

Justice Joyner is entering his sixth season with the Gaels. In his six seasons in Moraga, St. Mary’s has compiled a 88-28 (.759) record, two NCAA Tournament appearances, two NIT appearances, and a 2019 WCC Tournament championship. This past season the Gaels reached the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament and won 26 games. Joyner has played a crucial role in the development of the Gaels. Tommy Khuse, former walk-on, was awarded the Sixth Man of the Year in the WCC this past season. Khuse and Mattias Tass were selected onto First Team All-WCC.  Alex Ducas and Logan Johnson were awarded Second Team honors. In four of  five Joyner’s seasons in Moraga, the Gales have been awarded First Team All-WCC and in all seasons, the Gaels have been selected to at least Second Team. Joyner and the Gaels have continued to establish their dominance as a dominant force out in the West Coast. Prior to coaching, Joyner played college ball at UCSB and has many records for Gauchos, including being ninth all-time with 357 assists and second all-time in steals (134). Joyner played high school basketball under California legend Frank Allocco at De La Salle in Concord, California. 

Ken Bone - Pepperdine

Ken Bone enters his fifth season with the Waves. Bone assisted Pepperdine to one of the nation's best turnarounds in his first season with the Waves, a 10-win increase (from six to 16) in 2018-19. In 2021, the Waves won the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) postseason tournament. Prior to joining Pepperdine, Bone worked as a special assistant to Gonzaga coach Mark Few during the 2016-17 season. Bone had a 414-253 record as a collegiate head coach in 23 seasons (.621). He spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Washington under Lorenzo Romar. Bone has served as Head Coach for Cal State Stanislaus, Olympia CC, Seattle Pacific, Portland State, and Washington State. Bone spent one season as the head coach at Olympic Community College (1985-86) and one season as the head coach at Cal State Stanislaus (1984-85). He was the head coach at Seattle Pacific, an NCAA Division II institution, for 12 years and had a lot of success (1990-91 through 2001-02). During that time, he went 253-97 (.723), won at least 20 games eight times, shared six conference regular-season titles, and proceeded to the NCAA Division II Championships eight times, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2000. He was named NABC District 8 Coach of the Year as well as PacWest Conference co-Coach of the Year in 2000. He was an assistant coach with the Falcons for four seasons (1986-87 through 1989-90) before being promoted to head coach. During his four-year tenure as head coach, Bone led Portland State to its first two NCAA Tournament appearances (2005-06 through 2008-09).  In 2008 and 2009, the Vikings finished 23-10 and won the Big Sky Conference Tournament, the finest two seasons in program history. In 2008, he was named Big Sky Coach of the Year after capturing the league's regular-season championship. He was the head coach at Washington State for five years, from 2009-10 to 2013-14, leading the Cougars to 80 victories, the NIT semifinals in 2011, and a CBI runner-up finish in 2012. He had winning seasons in each of his first three seasons, including a season in which he won 22 games. Bone has established himself as one of the most respected and trusted assistants in college basketball.  

Ken Deweese - Wyoming 

Ken Deweese is entering his third season with the Pokes. In 2022, the Cowboys finished the season with a 25-9 overall record, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament at-large bid was the Pokes' first since 2002, and it was their first trip to the Big Dance since 2015. The Pokes won 24 games during the regular season, their most since the 1951-52 season. In both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches' polls, the Pokes, who were picked to finish eighth in the Conference, were placed as high as No. 22 in the country. In his first season with the program, the Cowboys had the best offense in the Mountain West. He was instrumental in transforming the Cowboy attack, which now averages 76.5 points per game. With 10.1 three-point field goals per game, Wyoming led the MW. The Pokes were also 12th in the country in three-point field goals per game. In non-conference play in 2020-21, the Pokes went 6-1, including a road win over an Elite Eight team in Oregon State. Wyoming won six road games this season, the most outside of Laramie since the 2012-13 season. Since the 2000-01 season, UW has also had a winning road record. Prior to Wyoming, DeWeese spent four seasons with Linder at Northern Colorado, where he helped the Bears win 20 games or more in each of the previous three seasons. DeWeese has also helped the Bears win 15 Big Sky games in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. In 2017-18, he also assisted Northern Colorado in winning its first playoff title, when the Bears won the College Invitational Tournament. Since the 1940 season, no Colorado school has won a postseason championship. It was also the Big Sky Conference's first postseason championship. On their road to the CIT Championship in 2017-18, UNC set a school record by winning 26 games. The Bears finished the season in the top 100 RPI rankings. This past season, Hunter Maldonado earned 1st team All-MW and Graham Ike earned 2nd team. 

Kyle Bankhead - San Francisco 

Kyler Bankhead enters his first season with the Dons. After serving as an assistant coach at Abilene Christian in 2021-22, Bankhead joins the Dons' coaching staff. Prior to joining the Wildcats, Bankhead worked for four seasons at UNC Greensboro, first as the director of basketball operations and then as an assistant coach for three seasons. In his four seasons with UNCG, the Spartans won 100 games, reached the NCAA Tournament twice, won 3 SoCon Regular Season Titles, 2 SoCon Tournaments,  and clinched an NIT berth. The most wins and overall success in UNCG program history. Bankhead served two seasons as the head basketball coach at Sunrise Christian Academy prior to his time at UNCG, where he assisted in the development of thirteen Division I prospects. Bankhead began his coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of San Diego, where he spent eight seasons and was highly involved in recruiting efforts, particularly overseas athletes. Bankhead was also responsible for bringing in five European players to USD, as well as two Toreros who set season and career records. Bankhead is very familiar with the WCC, not only was he a coach for USD but a player under Mark Few at Gonzaga. Bankhead was a member of four NCAA tournament teams with the Bulldogs during his four years at Gonzaga under Mark Few. He started 48 games as a player and finished his career with the sixth-most three-point attempts and the seventh-best career three-point shooting percentage in the West Coast Conference. Bankhead was selected WCC All-Academic three times during his career with the Bulldogs, winning four regular season and three tournament championships. Expect to see Bankhead continue his WCC excellence with the Dons. 

Lee Martin - Ohio

Lee Martin enters his third season with the Bobcats. In Martin’s two seasons in Athens, the Bobcats have emerged as a mid-major powerhouse. The Bobcats have compiled a 42-18 (.70) record and a NCAA Tournament berth. Ohio qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in nine years in 2020-21. After defeating Buffalo 84-69, Ohio won the MAC Tournament. The Bobcats defeated the defending national champion Virginia Cavaliers 62-58 inside Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, in the NCAA Tournament. Martin and the Bobcats have developed several pros throughout their brief time. Martin coached point guard Jason Preston, who was drafted 33rd overall by the Orlando Magic and subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA Draft in 2021. Preston was Ohio's first NBA draft pick since 2003, making him the 20th Bobcat to be selected. Preston won the MAC Tournament MVP award, was chosen First-Team All-MAC, Academic All-MAC, and was a Lou Henson Award Finalist. Dwight Wilson III and Ben Vander Plas were named to the All-MAC Third Team alongside Preston. Meanwhile, sophomore guard Lunden McDay (Akron, Ohio) was named to the MAC All-Defensive Team, while freshman guard Mark Sears (Muscle Shoals, Ala.) was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team. Martin joined the Bobcats after spending the previous two seasons as the head coach of the Hargrave Military Academy basketball team. Martin previously worked for current Eastern Kentucky head coach A.W. Hamilton as an associate head coach for two seasons and as an assistant coach for two years. Martin concluded his three-year Hargrave career with an overall record of 113-12, including a home winning run of more than 100 games. Martin was also successful in getting his players promoted to Division I. 28 of his players went on to play at the NCAA Division I level during his three years as head coach. During his seven years at Hargrave, he was a part of 69 players who went on to play Division I basketball. Martin’s resume suggests he will be a force in D1 basketball for a long time. 

Marlon Guild - Binghamton

Marlon Guild is entering his second season with the Bearcats. The Brooklyn native has 13 years experience as a Division I assistant, having finished successful stints at Saint Peter's (7 years) and Rider (6). While at Saint Peter's Guild helped steer the Peacocks to the NCAA tournament in 2011. Guild has spent the last six years at Rider, where the Broncs averaged nearly 19 wins a season in a four-year stretch from 2016-20, featuring a MAAC regular season title and NIT berth in 2018. Guild led the Broncs to three consecutive top-three finishes during his stint at Rider. The 2017-18 team finished 22-10 overall, including a 15-3 mark in the MAAC. Rider advanced to the NIT playoffs after winning the conference regular season championship. In the MAAC, his recruiting and growth led to seven all-conference choices. At Saint Peter's, Guild emphasized on the Peacock guards' development, and two of them (Wesley Jenkins and Nick Leon) eclipsed the 1,000-point mark under his guidance, leading the program to the MAAC tournament title in 2011. In 2007, he began his college coaching career at Eastern Connecticut State.

Martin Bahar - San Diego 

Martin Bahar is entering his fourth season with the Toreros. In the basketball community, Bahar has developed a solid reputation as a well-regarded coach for his relationship building skills and basketball IQ. The Potomac, MD native, has accumulated a long list of D1 college basketball coaching success. Since his managing days at Vanderbilt, Bahar, in 15 full seasons, has worked as a coach at Georgetown, Princeton, Fairfield, and USC, where he has helped teams reach five NCAA Tournaments and nine overall playoff appearances. In his four seasons as the Trojans' director of scouting and assistant coach, Bahar helped the Trojans to three 20-win seasons and postseason appearances. Bahar joined USC as the director of scouting in July 2015, a position he held for three of his four years with the Trojans. He was an assistant coach in 2017-18, helping the club to 24 wins and a trip to the NIT. In his second season with the Trojans, in 2016-17, Bahar was part of a coaching staff that guided the team to its most wins in program history (26) and a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Prior to USC, Bahar was at Fairfield. While with the Stags, they reached two postseasons and the Fairfield coaching staff had the most wins over their first two seasons of any staff in school history. Bahar’s recruiting efforts paid off even after his departure, as the team would then proceed to have three consecutive winning seasons from 2015-2018. Bahar also recruited the all time leading scorer at Fairfield (Tyler Nelson).  This past season, Bahar was an integral part of the Toreros 12-win improvement, the best improvement in program history. The Toreros also signed seven transfers with high major experience over two years. Bahar was also a large influence to the highest ranked recruit signing in program history (3-star Wayne Mckinney III). Bahar was a graduate assistant at Georgetown University from 2006 through 2009. The Hoyas won the BIG EAST twice and advanced to the postseason three times during his three seasons, including a Final Four appearance in 2007. 

Martin Richter - Drake

Martin Richter is entering his fifth season with the Bulldogs. In Richter’s four seasons with Drake under Darian DeVries, the Bulldogs have gone 95-40 (.704) with a 48-24 (.667) Missouri Valley Conference record. The Bulldogs have won 94 games in four seasons, the most in school history for any four-year period, and the first time the team has had four consecutive 20-win seasons.In Richter’s first season in Des Moines, the Bulldogs achieved a seven win improvement and a share of the MVC regular season title. Richter's first recruiting class at Drake includes a junior college All-American, all-conference graduate transfers, a 7-footer, and foreign talent. MVC Defensive Player of the Year Nick McGlynn was among the team's eight All-MVC selections. The first season began with a win in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic, capping up a 12-4 non-conference schedule before going 12-6 in conference play. Richter and the staff took over the Bulldog program in ‘18, inheriting a squad with only one returning starter and three returning contributors. He swiftly put together a talented lineup and guided them to their first regular-season Missouri Valley Conference title since 2008 and their 12th postseason berth in program history. The Bulldogs have participated in a postseason tournament every year Richter has been at the helm, excluding the shortened COVID-19 season. Richter spent two tremendously successful seasons as the head coach at Florida SouthWestern State College before joining the Bulldogs. In two seasons at Florida SouthWestern State College, he had a 56-10 record. Last season, the Buccaneers finished 30-3, were ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA poll, and were one win away from reaching the national tournament final four. For his outstanding season, Richter was voted the Suncoast Conference Coach of the Year. Tremell and Anthony Murphy, as well as D.J. Wilkins, who signed with Drake earlier this week, are among the seven student-athletes from that team who have already signed with NCAA Division I programs. Richter led Tremell Murphy to conference player of the year and All-America honors.

Matt Eisele - Saint Peter’s

Eisele is entering his fifth year with the Peacocks. Eisele and the Peacocks have compiled a 64-57 (.529) overall record and a 44-32 (.579) MAAC record in the last four seasons. This past season the Peacocks earned .647 winning percentage, the highest in program history since 1991. The Peacocks were 14-6 in MAAC play this past season and won an automatic-bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011. The Peacocks rallied an 8 win improvement from their previous season. The Peacocks upset No. 2 seed Kentucky in the first round, becoming only the tenth No. 15 seed in NCAA Tournament history to do it. They advanced to the Sweet Sixteen by defeating Murray State, becoming only the third No. 15 seed and the first MAAC men's team to do it. They advanced to the Elite Eight by defeating Purdue, becoming the first No. 15 seed to accomplish it. Eisele comes to Saint Peter's with over ten years of coaching experience, including seven seasons as a head or assistant coach. He arrives in Jersey City after spending the last two seasons at Rutgers University in Piscataway. Eisele was the Director of Recruiting at Rutgers under head coach Steve Pikiell. Eisele's responsibilities included organizing recruiting efforts and assisting the operations team with all elements of the program. He also planned social events, team camps, coaching clinics, and other activities for the team's high school relations. CoachStat.net rated Eisele one of the top 10 DI Dark-Horse Coaches on the Come in 2017-18. 

Matt Henry - Utah State

Matt Henry enters his second season with the Aggies. In his first season in the Mountain West, the Aggies went 18-16 and clinched an NIT berth. Brandon Horvath was awarded Third Team All-MW and Justin Bean was honored All-Defensive Team. Henry has spent the last three years on the UMBC coaching staff, helping the Retrievers win the America East regular season conference championship last season. Prior to his three years at UMBC, Henry spent five seasons as an assistant coach at St. Peter's, where he helped the Peacocks win the 2017 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), the program's first national postseason tournament title. St. Peters became the second MAAC school to win a national postseason tournament, and the first from New Jersey since Princeton won the NIT in 1975. As the director of basketball operations at Georgetown, Henry had his first taste of Division I coaching, guiding the Hoyas to a 139-62 overall record, four NCAA Tournament bids, and two NIT appearances. His stint at Georgetown was highlighted by a Sweet 16 appearance in 2005-06 and a Final Four appearance in 2006-07, which was the first for the Hoyas in 21 years.

Matt Kingsley - Yale

Matt Kingsley is entering his 17th season with the Bulldogs. Kingsley has played an integral role in the most successful stretch in the long history of Yale Basketball. Over the last seven years, the Bulldogs have won 143 games, the most of any Ivy League school by a significant margin, posted a 72-26 Ivy League mark, earned three NCAA Tournament berths and won four Ivy League championships. In 2019-20, Kingsley helped Yale to 23 victories, tying the 2015-16 team for the most in the modern era of Yale Basketball, and an Ivy League championship for the fourth time in the last six years. The Bulldogs were set to play in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat. Kingsley helped Yale achieve a 22-8 overall record, Ivy League regular season and tournament titles, and a close call against third-seeded LSU in the NCAA Tournament in 2018-19. Kingsley was also a key part of Yale's historic 2015-16 season, in which the Bulldogs won 23 games, won their second straight Ivy League title with a 13-1 record (tying the 1961-62 team for the best in school history), and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 54 years, where they upset Baylor for their first NCAA victory. Kingsley has coached and recruited three Ivy League Players of the Year – Justin Sears, the first back-to-back winner in school history (2015 and 2016), Miye Oni in 2019 and Paul Atkinson in 2020 – as well as two Ivy League Defensive Players of the Year – Reggie Willhite in 2012 and Jalen Gabbidon in 2020. Under his guidance, 16 Bulldogs have been named to the All-Ivy team, including 10 first-team honors. Kingsley has traveled the country to recruit Yale's top student-athletes. He has also leveraged his Connecticut roots to recruit numerous local players, notably Greg Mangano, Yale's all-time leader in blocked shots and a two-time first-team All-Ivy selection, and Brandon Sherrod, a Bridgeport native.

Matt Mckillop - Davidson

Matt Mckillop enters his 15th season with the Wildcats. Matt spent his 14th season on the Wildcat bench in 2021-22, helping his alma mater to 267 victories and a 163-64 (.718) conference record, including a 76-43 performance in the A-10 the last seven years.  After winning the A-10 regular season title in 2015, the Wildcats received their first-ever NCAA at-large berth. Two years ago, Davidson made history by winning the A-10 Tournament Championship for the first time. Six players have achieved All-America and conference Player of the Year honors, while 26 players have received all-conference honors during his tenure. Davidson has averaged over 20 victories each year during Matt's career, winning five regular-season conference titles and three tournament titles, as well as going to postseason play 10 times (4 NCAA, 5 NIT, 1 CBI). McKillop has been instrumental in recruiting, most notably through his ties to Ohio, which helped the Wildcats land Brian Sullivan '16, Peyton Aldridge '18, and Jack Gibbs '17. Behind Stephen Curry and John Gerdy, Aldridge, the 2018 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, and Gibbs are presently third and fourth on Davidson's all-time scoring list, respectively. This past season, the Wildcats finished 27-7 (.794) and 15-3 in Conference play plus finished first in the A10 regular season. Luka Brajkovic was honored A-10 Player of the Year, Hyunjung Lee was honored First Team all conference, and Foster Loyer was awarded 2nd Team all-conference. McKillop, a former player for the Wildcats, started 98 of the Wildcats' 117 games from 2002 to 2006, is still among the school's all-time leaders in 3-point field-goal percentage (.393/7th), 3-pointers made (223/7th), and 3-pointers attempted (567/8th).

Mike Burns - Boise State

Mike Burns is entering his seventh year with the Broncos. In 2021-22, Boise State relied heavily on its defense throughout the season to win the Mountain West regular-season title, conference tournament title, and an NCAA Tournament berth. According to KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency measure, the Broncos concluded the season with the 20th-best defense in the country. The Broncos' scoring defense ranks 13th in the US, allowing 60.9 points per game, with 15 opponents scoring less than 60 points this season. Boise State has three of the top six adjusted defensive efficiency scores in the KenPom era with Burns on staff (since 1997). In all but one season, Mike Burns and the Broncos have won at least 19 games. The Broncos were regular season champions in the MW in 2015. Boise State's 2019-20 Broncos set a program record by allowing opponents to shoot just 29.9% from three-point range, giving them their sixth 20-win season in a decade. Under Burns' leadership, the squad was great in overall field goal percentage defense in 2016-17 and 2017-18, keeping opponents to 42.7 percent from the field, which tied for the fifth-lowest percentage in program history. Back-to-back NIT appearances in 2016-17 and 2017-18 were aided by the team's concentration on defense, notably guarding the three. Boise State went 23-9 in 2017-18, finishing second in the Mountain West with a 13-5 record – the program's fourth consecutive season of winning at least 11 conference games. Broncos also ended defensive possessions at an unprecedented rate, finishing the season with the NCAA's best defensive rebounding percentage (83.7%). Burns served as Pacific's interim head coach during the 2015-16 season. He was also the head coach at Eastern Washington earlier. Burns has coached in the Pac-12, West Coast, and Big Sky Conferences during his 22 years of collegiate coaching. After seven years as the top assistant at San Diego, Burns only spent one season at Pacific in 2015-16. In the 2014 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, he helped the Toreros reach the quarterfinals.

Mike Peck - UTSA

Mike Peck enters his seventh season with the RoadRunners. Peck has had a huge impact on the Roadrunners, who have benefited from outstanding guard play from Jhivvan Jackson and Keaton Wallace for four seasons. The duo concluded their careers as two of the best scorers in NCAA history and UTSA history, as well as the No. 2 recruiting class in college basketball history. In 2020-21, UTSA ended the careers of Jackson and Wallace by winning 10 of their final 13 games, with Jackson becoming the league's only three-time scoring champion. Jackson finished second in the US in scoring (26.9 points per game) in 2019-20, breaking C-USA and UTSA single-season records as well as school records for career and season scoring. Wallace was a standout in the backcourt alongside Jackson, assuming more point guard duties following the departure of three-year starter Giovanni De Nicolao but still averaging 18.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Peck's first recruit at UTSA, senior wing Byron Frohnen, finished his all-around career as the program's career leader in starts, games played, and rebounds. Peck has accumulated coaching experience from all different levels. Peck joined UTSA after serving as an assistant coach at Santa Clara during the 2015-16 season. He mentored guard K.J. Feagin, who started all but one game for the Broncos, was second on the team in scoring (11.4 ppg), led the team in assists (3.8 apg), and was named to the West Coast Conference All-Freshman Team. He was previously the head coach of the Las Vegas Prospects AAU Team, which competed in the prestigious Nike Elite Youth Basketball League in 2015. Peck was the head coach of the Idaho Stampede, an NBA D-League affiliate of the Portland Trail Blazers, for two seasons (2012-14). Pierre Jackson, who scored 29.1 points per game and was named to the Futures All-Star team for the 2014 NBA D-League All-Star Game, was a big part of his development. Seven of his former Stampede players, including current Portland starter C.J. McCollum, were on NBA rosters. He also coached the Trail Blazers' NBA Summer League team in 2013, as well as two Trail Blazers pre-season training camps. Peck began his professional coaching career after a six-year stint (2006-12) as head coach at Findlay Prep, where he spent the last five years of his tenure. In 2015, Peck was inducted into the Findlay Prep Hall of Fame for the first time as the program's winningest coach. Every Findlay Prep graduate was an NCAA Division I qualifier for their freshman year of college, in addition to his teams' on-court excellence.

Nat Graham - UPenn

Nat Graham is entering his eighth season with the Quakers. Penn finished 4-0 in Big 5 play in 2018-19, including a win at The Palestra over defending NCAA champion Villanova and road victories at La Salle and Temple. The Quakers went undefeated in the Big 5 for the first time since 2001-02, and only the second time since 1973-74. Penn finished 19-12 overall, with a 7-7 Ivy League record. Penn went 24-9 overall in 2017-18 and shared the Ivy League title with a 12-2 conference record. After defeating Yale and co-champion Harvard in the Ivy League Tournament, the Quakers proceeded to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years, losing 76-60 to top-seeded Kansas in Wichita, Kan. AJ Brodeur, a sophomore forward, was chosen first-team All-Ivy and NABC All-District after the season, as well as second-team All-ECAC and All-Big 5. Ryan Betley, a sophomore, was named second-team All-Ivy, NABC All-District, and All-Big 5, while Darnell Foreman, a junior, was named honorable mention All-Ivy. Graham was a two-year letterman at the University of Pennsylvania (1993-95), where he was a member of two undefeated Ivy League championship teams when Coach Donahue was an assistant coach. During those two seasons, Penn went a combined 47-9 overall, including an NCAA Tournament victory over Nebraska in 1994. Prior to his coaching career at UPenn, he spent four seasons at Boston College under current Penn head coach Steve Donahue, three of them as associate head coach. He joined the Eagles for the 2010-11 season after serving as an assistant coach at Cornell for the previous five seasons under Donahue.

Patrick Moynihan - Appalachian State 

Patrick Moynihan enters his fourth season with the Mountaineers. Moynihan was a key part of App State's run to the Sun Belt Tournament title in 2020-21. The Mountaineers won four games in four days to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000. App State hasn't had back-to-back winning seasons since 2009-10 and 2010-11, and hasn't had back-to-back non-conference winning seasons since 1998-99 and 1999-00. Moynihan was named to the NABC Under Armour 30 Under 30 Team prior to the start of the season, which honors 30 of the best coaches under the age of 30. Moynihan was a key part in App State's seven-win turnaround from 11 to 18 wins in the 2019-20 season. The Mountaineers' 18 victories were the most since the 2009-10 season, and the turnaround was the greatest for the program since 2008-09. Moynihan joins the Mountaineers after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant at Presbyterian under current App State head coach Dustin Kerns. PC's win total increased from five to eleven in 2017-18 and from eleven to twenty in 2018-19 over Moynihan's two seasons with the Blue Hose. Moynihan also was a four-year letterwinner on the North Georgia basketball team.

Patrick Wallace - Loyola Chicago

Patrick Wallace enters his second season as assistant coach with the Ramblers. Wallace was a video coordinator for the Ramblers for one season. He has assisted the Ramblers to two NCAA Tournament berths, two Missouri Valley Conference championships, and three seasons of 20 or more wins in his three seasons with the program. Wallace was heavily involved with the team's offense during his first season as an assistant coach on Drew Valentine's staff at Loyola, and the Ramblers thrived, ranking as one of the top field goal and three-point shooting teams in the country, while setting a single-season program record with 293 three-point field goals. Loyola made the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, marking the first time in nearly 60 years that the Ramblers had done so. Five Ramblers were named to the Missouri Valley Conference's postseason awards, including Lucas Williamson, who was named First Team All-MVC and MVC Defensive Player of the Year. Loyola won 25 games and won the MVC Championship for the second straight year. In 2020-21, Loyola again had another outstanding season, finishing the year ranked No. 12 in the final Ferris Mowers Coaches Top 25 Poll after going 26-5 overall and a school-record 16 wins in conference play. The Ramblers won their third MVC regular-season title in four years and earned their third playoff participation in that time, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second time in four seasons, led by MVC Player of the Year and Associated Press Third Team All-America center Cameron Krutwig. Wallace played for North Carolina State University and Charleston Southern University, where he was a member of two NCAA Tournament teams.

Preston Laird - Little Rock

Preston Laird enters his fourth season with Trojans. Little Rock went from 11th in the preseason Sun Belt poll to regular season conference champions with a 21-10 record in 2019-20, and Laird was a big part of it. He coached Ruot Monyyong, Markquis Nowell, and Kamani Johnson to Sun Belt All-Star accolades. Laird, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, was a walk-on for four years at Memphis under John Calipari before gaining a scholarship and becoming a team captain. Following graduation, he worked under Marvin Menzies at New Mexico State University in a variety of capacities. From 2013 to 2015, the Aggies made three consecutive NCAA Tournament invitations, amassing a 97-43 overall record and a 52-10 conference record over his four years with the team. Laird accompanied Menzies to UNLV, where he worked as a support staff member for two seasons until being promoted to assistant coach prior to the 2018-19 season after helping UNLV win 20 games the previous season. His rapid progress has been noticed by his peers, as he was named to the NABC's 2017 Under Armour 30-Under-30 list.

Ralph Davis - Texas A&M CC

Ralph Davis is entering his second season with the Islanders. After more than quadrupling the team's victory total from the previous season, the Islanders received an automatic trip to the 2022 NCAA Tournament in his first season. Davis took over a team under Steve Lutz that had ended 5-19 prior to his arrival and turned it around with a 23-12 record, the largest turnaround in program history. He was the only new mid-major coach to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2022. After winning three games in three days, Davis and A&M-Corpus Christi won the Southland Conference Tournament title. The team was strong defensively throughout the season, going 17-0 while keeping opponents to 70 points or less, including all three SLC Tournament games. A & M-Corpus Christi set a school record by winning a school-record 13 non-conference games. Since joining a league in 2006-07, it was the most. With a 10-2 record after 12 games, the Islanders are off to their finest start in program history. In addition, the Islanders won their first-ever three-game preseason tournament at the UTSA Tournament, defeating IUPUI, Denver, and UTSA. Davis was at the University of New Mexico from 2018 to 21. He started as a video coordinator before being elevated to director of operations in June 2019 and then to assistant coach in September 2020.

Riley Conroy - Southeastern Louisiana

Riley Conroy enters his fourth season with the Lions.He is highly involved in player development, recruiting, and scouting as an assistant coach. In the 2021-2022 season, the Lions elevated into new heights. The Lions won 19 games and earned a double-bye in the Southland Tournament as well as a berth in the conference championship game. Conroy and the Lions were also invited to The Basketball Classic playoff tournament, marking the third time in school history that the team had advanced that far (2005 - NCAA, 2018 - NIT). Gus Okafor (1st team), Jalyn Hinton (2nd team), and Keon Clergeot (1st team) were all named to the All-Southland team for the 2021-22 season (2nd team). Hinton, who led the conference in blocked shots with 81, was also awarded Southland Defensive Player of the Year. During year three, SLU also set a number of school records. In a win over Southeastern Baptist, the Lions scored 2,679 points, made 302 three-pointers, shot 76.9% from the free throw line as a team, and made an all-time program high 19 three-pointers. SLU advanced to the Southland Conference Tournament in his second season with the Lions, including a first-round win over McNeese. During the season, SLU faced one of the more difficult non-conference schedules in the Southland, going on the road for nine straight games to begin the season. The road trip featured games at LSU, Texas A&M, Louisiana Tech, California Baptist, UAB, Grambling, Stephen F. Austin, and Lamar, with games at LSU, Texas A&M, Louisiana Tech, California Baptist, UAB, Grambling, Stephen F. Austin, and Lamar. Conroy coached at Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas during the 2018-19 season. As an assistant coach, he assisted in leading the team to a Top-10 national finish, with 11 players moving on to play collegiately at Michigan State, Creighton, and Austin Peay. 

Roger Powell - Gonzaga

Roger Powell enters his fifth season with the Zags. The Zags are 118-11 (.914) in Powell’s four seasons in Spokane. Powell and the program received their second consecutive overall number one seed in the NCAA Tournament during the 2021-22 season, the second in program history. GU concluded with an overall record of 28-4, including a 13-1 record in the West Coast Conference. The Zags have advanced to the Sweet 16 for the eighth time in a row, the only program in the country to accomplish so. For the tenth year in a row, GU has won the WCC regular season championship. The Bulldogs have won 10 straight league titles and have appeared in the conference tournament championship games for the past 25 years, which is the most in the US. Gonzaga was given a one-seed for the fifth time in program history, the third straight tournament, and the fourth time in the previous five NCAA Tournaments. Powell has played an integral role in the Zag’s late recruiting and development program. Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren were named to the Wooden Award All-Americans after being named Second Team All-Americans by Sporting News and the Associated Press. The NABC and USBWA named Timme Second Team All-American, while the NABC and USBWA named Holgmren Third Team All-American. Holmgren was a Malone Award Finalist (best power forward in the country), Andrew Nembhard was a Cousy Award Finalist (best point guard in the country), and Timme was an Abdul-Jabbar Award Finalist (best center in the country). Timme was selected Player of the Year in the West Coast Conference, and Chet Holmgren was named Newcomer and Defensive Player of the Year. Timme, Holmgren, and Nembhard were named to the WCC's First Team. Gonzaga had the best scoring offense, scoring margin, field goal percentage, and defensive rebounds in the country. The Zags have reached the NCAA Tournament for 24 straight seasons and have established themselves as one of the premier programs in the nation. 

Ross Hodge - North Texas

Ross Hodge is entering his sixth season with the Mean Green. With Hodge on the bench, UNT has a combined 104-58 overall record. North Texas has a 55-31 record in conference games during the last five years. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches awarded Hodge the assistant of the year in 2022. Under Hodge, the Mean Green defense has become a national leader. UNT let the country in scoring defense in 2021-2022, holding opponents to a C-USA record 55.7 points per game. The Mean Green defense allowed opponents to make less than 29% of their 3-point attempts, and conference opponents were held to an average of 19 points below their respective scoring averages. In 2022, UNT made its first appearance in the National Invitation Tournament, defeating Texas State 67-63 in the first round. The Mean Green finished with a No. 55 NET ranking, tying the previous season's level and setting a new program high. In 2021-22, they set a program record by winning 25 games and finishing with a 16-2 league record. North Texas won a program-record 15 straight games from January to March 2022 en route to the regular season title. Hodge was a key part of North Texas' first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly a decade in 2020-21, when the team won four games in four days to win the C-USA Tournament and earn an automatic entry. The Mean Green received a program-best seeding (No. 13) in the NCAA Tournament and upset Purdue in the first round, 78-69, for the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. It was also North Texas' first win over an AP Top 25 opponent since 1971. Purdue finished the season at No. 20 in the Associated Press poll. Hodge has coached and recruited 18 all-conference men's basketball student-athletes during his five seasons at North Texas, including Javion Hamlet, who won the C-USA Male Student-Athlete of the Year award in 2020, the C-USA Men's Basketball Player of the Year award in 2020, and the C-USA Tournament MVP in 2021.Prior to UNT, he spent a year as the Red Wolves' associate head coach at Arkansas State, where he worked with Grant McCasland. The Red Wolves improved by ten games that year, which was the second-best turnaround in Division 1 basketball at the time. 

Royce ‘Snoop’ Johnson - UT Arlington

Royce ‘Snoop’ Johnson enters his fifth season with the Mavericks. Johnson guided UTA through significant roster upheaval in 2021-22, but the team came together in conference play to start 4-1 after facing one of the most difficult non-league schedules in the country. David Azore was awarded to the Sun Belt All-Conference First Team and the NABC All-District First Team after a stellar season under Johnson's tutelage. Azore was the Sun Belt's top scorer in conference games, averaging 23.9 points per game – about five points more than anybody else – and 19.9 points per game overall, good for 20th in the US. The Mavs finished the year in the top 40 in the country in the following categories in 2020-21, led by Johnson: blocks per game (21st, 4.8), steals per game (24th, 8.3), turnover margin (33rd, +2.8), and 3-pointers made per game (37th, 9.0). Johnson helped UTA rank in the top 40 in four key statistical categories in 2019-20: assist-to-turnover ratio (16th, 1.3), 3-point percentage defense (20th, 29.6), fewest turnovers per game (29th, 11.2), and assists per game (29th, 11.2). (35th, 14.9). The Mavs set a single-season program record for defensive performance by allowing opponents to shoot 29.6 percent from 3-point range, breaking the previous mark of 29.8 set in 2018-19. From 1998 through 2014, Johnson was the head boys basketball coach at Kimball High School in Dallas. In 14 seasons, he had a 373-76 record, over 130 players gained college scholarships, and coached the Knights to three state championships. In 2002, he served as the head coach of the USA Basketball U19 national team that claimed the gold medal at the World Global Games. The team featured future NBA players Chris Bosh, Jarrett Jack, Antoine Wright and Ike Diogu.

Russell Springmann - Oral Roberts

Russell Springmann enters his fifth season with the Golden Eagles. After a historic run in 2020-21 in which the Golden Eagles became only the second No. 15 seed in NCAA tournament history to reach the Sweet 16 by defeating No. 2 seed Ohio State and No. 7 seed Florida, he has helped the Golden Eagles reach new heights. ORU also won three games in three days to win the Summit League tournament and make its first NCAA appearance since 2008. The Golden Eagles finished the season with the 14th-highest scoring offense in the country, leading the NCAA in 3-pointers made per game (11.1) and free-throw percentage (82.1). (81.1). Max Abmas was awarded Summit Player of the Year that season and both Abmas and Kevin Obanor were placed on 1st-team. They were the country's top scoring tandem, averaging 43.2 points per game, including a whopping 50.0 points per game during the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Eagles are 37-23 (.616) in the past two seasons. This past season, Abmas won First Team again. Prior to ORU, Springmann was an assistant coach at Texas for 14 years, guiding the Longhorns to a 334-149 overall record, 13 NCAA Tournament trips, including five Sweet 16 appearances. Springmann was instrumental in Texas' recruitment of 14 McDonald's All-Americans, including two players who went on to win National Player of the Year awards, T.J. Ford (2003) and Kevin Durant (2007). 

Ryan Schneider - Vermont

Ryan Schneider enters his 10th season with the Catamounts. Schneider led the Catamounts (28-6) to a league-best ninth America East Championship in 2021-22, defeating No. 2 UMBC 82-43 in the title game at Patrick Gym. With a 17-1 conference record, Vermont won its sixth straight America East Regular Season Championship. The Catamounts of 2021-22 became the first team in program history to win 17 games in league play. Ryan Davis was selected America East Player of the Year for the second straight season, making him Vermont's sixth Player of the Year. Davis was also named to the NABC and USBWA All-District Teams, while Ben Shungu was also honored by the NABC and USBWA. Schneider and the Catamounts had ten 20-win seasons, seven postseason invitations (NCAA three times, NIT twice, CBI twice), four America East championships (2017, 2019, 2020, and 2022), and seven America East regular-season titles (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022). UVM is the only Division I team to win at least six consecutive regular season conference championships, joining Gonzaga. Each season, Vermont's scoring defense has been among the best in the country, with a 59.3 rating in 2019-20. With a field-goal percentage of 38.0 percent, the 2019-20 Cats were fifth in the country. Schneider has guided the Catamounts to 212 wins in nine seasons averaging 23 wins per season. Schneider played at Vermont and he was a member of the UVM team that upset Syracuse in the 2005 NCAA Tournament and earned an America East Championship. Schneider played in the America East Championship Game for the second time as a sophomore.

Scott Garson - Santa Clara

Scott Garson enters his fifth season with the Broncos. Scott Garson finished his 24th year on a collegiate coaching staff in 2021-22 as an assistant coach for the Santa Clara men's basketball team. Garson has been a part of 23 winning seasons, 18 playoff bids, 10 conference championships, and three NCAA Division I Final Fours in his 24 years of college basketball at five different schools. Garson helped the Broncos reach the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13 in 2021-22. On their way to being invited to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) for only the fifth time in program history, the Broncos posted 21 wins, their second 20-win season in the previous three seasons and the first time since 2010-11 through 2012-13. Three players were named to the All-WCC squad after Santa Clara's first win over a ranked opponent since 2004 (against No. 22 Saint Mary's) and first win over BYU since 2017. Jalen Williams and Josip Vrankic were named to the first team, while Keshawn Justice was named to the second team. Williams, in particular, had a memorable season, becoming the first Bronco to receive all-region accolades since 2016-17 after finishing as the WCC's second-leading scorer with 18.0 points per game. Santa Clara won ten games in league play for the first time since Herb Sendek took over in 2016-17. The Broncos were 11th in field goal percentage (48.4) and 16th in 3-point shooting percentage at the end of the season (37.8). Prior to Santa Clara, he was the head coach at College of Idaho for the previous five seasons, leading the Yotes to a 129-42 record, three Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season titles, three league tournament titles, and four NAIA national tournament appearances, including a run to the 2015 national quarterfinals and 2018 national semifinals. Garson won the Red Auerbach National Coach of the Year Award in 2015 and was awarded Cascade Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2018. He became the first coach at the school since the 1950s to win back-to-back league titles. His 2014-15 team went 30-6, the second-most wins in a single season in the program's 105-year history. When the 2017-18 team completed 30-7, it matched that amount. Garson has spent time at UCLA, Utah, and Pepperdine as well. 

Serge Clement - Hofstra

Serge Clement is entering his second year with the Pride. In Clement’s first season, the Pride went 21-11 overall and 13-5 in the Colonial Athletic Association, finishing third in conference. The Pride achieved an 8 game jump in wins. In a poll by league coaches, communications directors, and media, Hofstra junior guard Aaron Estrada was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season. Estrada was one of two Hofstra players to be named CAA Sixth Man of the Year at the end of the season. Graduate student guard Zach Cooks was also named. Jalen Ray was named to the CAA's third team. Clement is a valuable addition to the team, as he has garnered national recognition for his coaching abilities. Jeff Goodman of WatchStadium.com designated him a Top Five Assistant Coach in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 2020. Marist enjoyed its first winning season in 13 years, as well as its best conference finish in 14 years, in 2020-21. For the first season in 19 years, the Red Foxes ended above.500, and their 6-1 start was their best in 22 years. Ricardo Wright, the MAAC Rookie of the Week four times, was recruited by Clement. Wright was chosen to the MAAC All-Rookie Team, along with classmate Hakim Byrd. The Red Foxes got two All-Rookie Team choices for the first time in their 24 years in the MAAC. Prior to Marist, Clement served at St. Peters. 

Shaun Morris - Quinnipiac 

Shaun Morris is entering his sixth season with the Bobcats. Quinnipiac won four of their last seven regular-season MAAC games under Morris' guidance in 2020-21. Last season, the Bobcats were rated eighth in the country in defensive field goal percentage, with opponents shooting only 39.0 percent from the field against them. Quinnipiac also led the MAAC with 28.32 defensive rebounds per game in 2020-21, and was ranked No. 17 overall.  Following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season, Quinnipiac garnered three All-MAAC selections. Senior Jacob Rigoni (11.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG) was named to the All-MAAC Second Team under Dunleavy, while Luis Kortright (10.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.7 APG) and Tymu Chenery (9.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG) were named to the All-Rookie team. Quinnipiac finished the 2018-19 season with a 16-15 (11-7 MAAC) overall record, the program's first winning season since 2013-14, thanks to Morris' contributions. On March 18, 2019, the Bobcats made their sixth postseason participation in program history, playing in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) at NJIT. Morris joined Baker Dunleavy's staff in 2017-18 following six years as a member of the Boston University coaching staff under Joe Jones. Morris began his career as an assistant coach in 2011 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2014. Morris guided the Terriers to three playoff invitations during his stay with the program: the 2016 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), the 2014 National Invitation Tournament (NIT), and the 2013 CIT.

Skye Ettin - Princeton

Skye Ettin enters his sixth season with the Tigers. Ettin has compiled a 110-60 (.64) overall record and a 72-25 (.742) Ivy league record. In 2021-22, Ettin was a key contributor to the Tigers' Ivy League Championship. The Tigers set four team records, including most points in a season (2395), most points per game (79.8), most field goals made in a season (910), and most three-point field goals made in a season (910), in addition to upsetting two power five programs, South Carolina and Oregon State (327). The Tigers also ranked fourth in the country in effective field goal percentage (56.7%), fifth in three-point field goal per game (10.9), fifth in three-point field goal percentage (38.7%), ninth in assist/turnover ratio (1.53), 11th in scoring offense (79.8), and 14th in total three-point field goals made (327). While Ettin has been on staff, the Tigers have clinched two NCAA Tournament appearances. Princeton went 14-0 in the Ivy League for the first time since 1998, and for any Ivy team since 2008, in addition to winning the inaugural Ivy League Tournament. Princeton went on a 19-game winning run in 2017 and led the Ivy League in scoring defense, 3-point field goal %, turnover margin, assist-to-turnover ratio, defensive rebounding percentage, and 3-pointers made per game. Ettin was selected a NABC 30 under 30 accolade after the 2016-17 season, a compilation of coaching staff members under the age of 30 from across all NCAA divisions. Each year, this award honors the best young college basketball coaches in the country. Eight Tigers have gone on to play professionally during Ettin's time with the team, including Devin Cannady '20, who played eight games for the Orlando Magic in the 2020-21 season and was NBA G League Finals MVP, Spencer Weisz '17, who was Ivy League Player of the Year and now plays in the Israeli Winner League, as well as Amir Bell '18, Myles Stephens '19, Richmond Aririguzoh '20, and Steven Cook. Ettin, who is in charge of the program's recruiting efforts on the West Coast, focuses on team skill development.

Steve Curran - St. Bonaventure

Steve Curran is entering his 13th season with the Bonnies. In one of the toughest conferences in the country, Curran has been an instrumental piece to the consistent ascension of St. Bonaventure basketball in the recent decade. In Curran's past twelve seasons with the Bonnies,  they have clinched at least 18 wins nine times, reached the postseason six times, 2x A10 Tournament Champions, 2x A10 Regular Season Champions, clinched the NCAA Tournament three times, and two NIT berths. While on staff at St. Bonaventure, Curran has compiled a 230-142 (.618) record. Known as an effective recruiter, Curran and the staff have not only brought in high talent, but have established themselves as a superb developmental program. Much of the Bonnie's recent success is a byproduct of their exceptional recruiting and development. Kyle Lofton was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team as a freshman and guided the Bonnies to the A-10 Championship game in 2019, earning a position on the A-10 All Tournament Team in the process.  Curran was also a key figure in the development of Osun Osunniyi, who established a program record for rookie blocks and was named A-10 All-Rookie and All-Defensive Honors (4x). Lofton was awarded First Team All-Conference as a sophomore, while Osunniyi was named Third Team and became only the fourth player in Bonnies’ history to be named A-10 Defensive Team multiple times. Lofton was named First Team All-A-10 again as a junior, and Osunniyi was named A-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Prior to St. Bonaventure, Curran was an assistant coach for five seasons at Central Connecticut State where the Blue Devils went 56-34 in conference play and reached the NCAA Tournament once. 

Sundance Wicks - Wyoming

Sundance Wicks enters his third season with the Cowboys. In 2022, the Cowboys finished the season with a 25-9 overall record, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament at-large bid was the Pokes' first since 2002, and it was their first trip to the Big Dance since 2015. The Pokes won 24 games during the regular season, their most since the 1951-52 season. In both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches' polls, the Pokes, who were picked to finish eighth in the Conference, were placed as high as No. 22 in the country. Wicks' enthusiasm on the bench helped the Cowboys become the Mountain West's best offense in his first year on the job. He was instrumental in transforming the Cowboy attack, which now averages 76.5 points per game. With 10.1 three-point field goals per game, Wyoming led the MW. The Pokes were also 12th in the country in three-point field goals per game. 

In non-conference play in 2020-21, the Pokes went 6-1, including a road win over an Elite Eight team in Oregon State. Wyoming won six road games this season, the most outside of Laramie since the 2012-13 season. Since the 2000-01 season, UW has also had a winning road record. Wicks has worked as a Division II and Division I assistant coach. Wicks worked as an assistant coach at Northern State, Colorado (2006-07), Northern Illinois (2007-11), and San Francisco after lettering four years as a student-athlete at Northern State from 1999 to 2003. (2015-16). Wicks, a native of Gillette, Wyoming, guided Missouri Western to 18 wins in 2019-20 prior to Wyoming, the most for the program in ten years. In his debut season as head coach, his squad more than doubled their previous season's win total. Wick coached six All-MIAA players and one NABC All-District selection in his two seasons.

Tim Johnson - Furman

Tim Johnson is entering his fourth season with the Paladins. Tim Johnson has compiled an 88-38 (.698) record while at Furman and has not placed lower than 3rd in the Southern Conference. Furman concluded the 2021-2022 season 22-12 and was one point away from clinching an NCAA Tournament berth. Furman finished the 2020-21 season with a 16-9 overall record and a 10-5 SoCon record, achieving the program's sixth consecutive winning season and sixth consecutive top three league finish. The Paladins, who finished the regular season ranked No. 75 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) Rankings, No. 92 in the Pomeroy Ratings, and No. 90 in the RPI, were a league-best No. 75 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) Rankings, a SoCon-best No. 92 in the Pomeroy Ratings, and a league-best No. 92 in the RPI. In 2019-20, Johnson helped the Paladins to a 25-7 overall record and a 15-3 Southern Conference record, setting a new school record for victories for the second straight season. Furman was ranked No. 74 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) Rankings and No. 81 in the Pomeroy Ratings at the end of the season. Jordan Lyons, a College Insider Mid-Major All-American, was named to the first team All-SoCon, while Clay Mounce and Noah Gurley were named to the third team. Lyons concluded his Furman career with 96 victories, making him the winningest player in school history. Prior to joining the Paladins, he spent two seasons at James Madison, where he helped develop guard Stuckey Mosley into a two-time All-CAA selection and helped develop guard Stuckey Mosley into a two-time All-CAA selection. Deshon Parker was named to the 2019 CAA All-Rookie Team under his guidance. Johnson coached guard Matt Lewis to CAA All-Rookie Team honors in 2018 and third team All-CAA honors in 2019.

T.J. Sorrentine - Brown

T.J. Sorrentine enters his 15th season with the Bears. Sorrentine has made a significant contribution to the program's strategy and culture, laying the groundwork for an Ivy Championship team to emerge. Sorrentine and the Bears' 2019-20 team won 15 games, giving them the most wins in Brown basketball history (35 in two years). The Bears' eight Ivy League victories (8-6, fourth place) make them the 14th Brown team to win eight or more league games. Jaylan Gainey '23 was selected the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, becoming the second Brown player to do so. Sorrentine and the Browns had their first 20-win season (20-12) and a place in the College Basketball Invitational in 2018-19. The Bears' defense, which was ranked 22nd out of 353 Division I teams thanks to the effort of Obi Okolie '19, who was selected the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, was the key to the team's success. The team also won their first ever postseason game, defeating Alabama Birmingham in the College Basketball Invitational's first round. In 2021-22, he began his 10th season under head coach Mike Martin, and Sorrentine is a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Sorrentine was a former point guard that guided Vermont to two NCAA Tournament trips, in 2004 and 2005, and hit the infamous game-winning three-point jumper in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the DCU Center in Worcester, against the 4 seeded Syracuse Orangemen.

Tyler Parker - South Alabama

Tyler Parker is entering his fifth season with the Jaguars. Parker and the Jaguars have won 17 games or more in four consecutive seasons. Parker helped the Jaguars to a 21-12 overall record last season, including a 9-7 Sun Belt record. South Alabama advanced to the semifinals of The Basketball Classic for the first time since the 2012-13 season. For only the second time in program history, the Jaguars won two postseason games. South went 15-3 at home this season, which was the second-most in Mitchell Center history, trailing only the 2007-08 team's 17 victories. South Alabama was the first Sun Belt club to finish in the top three in both scoring offense and scoring defense, making them the only team in the conference to do so. The Jaguars saw three players named to the all-Sun Belt team with Parker's help. Javon Franklin was named to the third team, while Charles Manning Jr. and Jay Jay Chandler were named to the second team. The Jaguars finished the season 17-11, with an eight-game winning streak in Sun Belt conference play. The eight-game victory streak was South's second in a row, as the 2019-2020 team also had an eight-game winning streak before the season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As an assistant, he assists with all aspects of coaching, including scouting and recruiting, with a focus on developing the Jaguars' guards. Prior to South Alabama, he had a lone season at Nicholls, on the staff of current Jaguar head coach Richie Riley, the Colonels shared the Southland Conference title and had their most victories in a season in 20 years, winning a share of the league title and posting their most wins in a season since 1995.

Wayne Hunter - St. Mary’s (CA)

Wayne Hunter enters his second season with the Gaels. The Gaels won 26 games and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Joyner has been a pivotal figure in the Gaels' development. Tommy Khuse, a former walk-on, won the WCC's Sixth Man of the Year title this season. Khuse and Mattias Tass were named to the WCC's First Team. Second Team accolades were given to Alex Ducas and Logan Johnson. Hunter worked as the Recruiting Coordinator at Washington State under former Gael coach Kyle Smith. Hunter spent two seasons at UC Riverside before joining the Cougars, including as an assistant coach in 2020-21, when he assisted the Highlanders to their most successful season in team history. Hunter began his coaching career in the AAU and high school rankings at Kennedy HS, Oakland Technical HS, James Logan HS, and Miramonte HS before moving on to the college ranks. Hunter was a notable combo guard for the Gaels as a player, helping them to three postseason visits, including a run to the Sweet 16 as a senior in 2010.

Will Bailey - UMass

Will Bailey enters his first season with the Minutemen. Bailey, who has a decorated coaching career, joined South Carolina as an assistant coach in June 2020 after four seasons as an assistant coach in the Atlantic 10 at Saint Louis. The Chicago, Illinois native has almost 15 years of Division I coaching experience, having worked as an assistant at East Tennessee State, Maine, Chicago State, and La Salle, where he helped the Explorers reach the Sweet 16 in 2012-13. Bailey has had a lot of success in all of the places he's worked. Bailey joined the Saint Louis staff in April 2016 and helped the Billikens improve their win total each season, culminating in a 23-13 overall record, an A-10 Tournament Championship, and an NCAA Tournament trip in 2018-19. All-conference guard Javon Bess, who was selected the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, benefited from his guidance. Bailey worked as an assistant coach at ETSU for seven years under his previous coach Murray Bartow, guiding the Bucs to six conference crowns, three NCAA Tournament trips, an NIT appearance, and four 20-win seasons. During his time with the Buccaneer program, Bailey coached two of the top three scorers in ETSU history, Tim Smith and Courtney Pigram, as well as three conference players of the year. Bailey played two seasons at UAB (1995-97) and was captain of the 1996-97 team that reached the NIT. In 1997, he was also named the team's best defensive player.