The University of Wisconsin-Platteville head men’s basketball coach Jeff Gard has announced the hiring of John Pugliese as assistant coach for the Pioneers.

"I’m thrilled with what John brings to our staff, both on and off the court, in terms of coaching, recruiting and mentoring these young men," said Gard. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for John and couldn’t be more excited about him reuniting with the Platteville family. I have obviously had the chance to coach with him and have remained in constant contact and followed his career after his departure from Platteville."

Pugliese comes back to UW-Platteville with coaching experience at the NCAA Division I and II levels and most recently served as head coach and assistant club director at Earl Watson Elite Basketball Organization, one of the top AAU programs in the country, for a year. Prior to that, Pugliese was an assistant coach at Division II Wayne State College, in Wayne, Nebraska from 2011-2013 under former Pioneer head coach Paul Combs. Pugliese helped Wayne State to a 17-12 record in the 2012-13 season, the first winning season since 2007-08.

Pugliese then spent two seasons as associate director at Brentwood School in California, before a three-year stint at Division I Wagner College in Staten Island, New York; where he helped Wagner to a 23-8 record in the 2007-08 season, the most wins in school history.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2006 from UW-Platteville and served as a student assistant coach from 2004-06.

Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.