University of Pikeville Head Men’s Basketball Coach Kelly Wells has announced updates to his men’s basketball staff for the 2012-2013 season.

Tigh Compton and Matthew Taylor have been named assistant coaches, with Nick Bowman and Ryan Whitaker graduate assistant coaches while Chris Puckett and Corey Hoskins student assistant coaches and John Biery remains as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2012-2013 campaign.

Compton has been promoted to assistant coach after spending last season as a graduate assistant at UPIKE. Before serving as a graduate assistant, Compton spent two seasons as a student assistant at Pikeville.

Taylor joins the Bears staff after spending the past two seasons at St. Catharine College. Prior to SCC, Taylor spent one season as assistant coach at Union (Ky.) College and two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Pikeville College.

Bowman begins his second season at graduate assistant at UPIKE. Prior to coming to UPIKE, Bowman served three seasons as a manager at Eastern Kentucky University for Coach Jeff Neubauer. During his three seasons on staff, the Colonels finished 53-42 and finished top 15 nationally in three-pointers made per game, three-point shooting percentage, and fewest turnovers per game.

Whitaker joins the UPIKE staff as a graduate assistant coach after serving as a student assistant last season. In 2011, Whitaker helped guide the Bears to their first NAIA National Championship as a senior. Whitaker, who played collegiately at both Lincoln Memorial and Pikeville, will also serve at the junior varsity head coach for the Bears.

Puckett enters his first season as a student assistant coach after finishing up a four-year playing career at UPIKE. Puckett was also a member of the 2011 National Championship team as a player.

Hoskins, a recent graduate of Buckhorn High School, joins the Bears staff as a student assistant coach. While at Buckhorn, Hoskins served as a volunteer student assistant coach and helped Head Coach Jon Noble in all aspects of the program.

Biery enters his seventh season as volunteer assistant for the UPIKE program. Biery, a former player for the Bears, is also the Cross Country and track & field coach. Biery served several seasons as the junior varsity head coach.

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