Elon University men’s basketball head coach Matt Matheny has announced coaching staff changes for the program today, June 19. J.B. Tanner has been elevated from director of basketball operations to assistant coach. Additionally, the Phoenix adds Bryson Gibson to the staff as the program’s new director of basketball operations to replace Tanner.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have a great staff during the years that I’ve been here and that will continue with this new staff,” said Matheny. “Promoting J.B. Tanner and the addition of Bryson Gibson will help us continue to elevate the program.”
Tanner will begin his fifth season at Elon in 2018-19 after serving at the director of basketball operations over the last four seasons. As an assistant coach, Tanner will play an active role in the recruiting efforts of the Phoenix staff and will also have the opportunity to work on the court with the student-athletes, both at practice and during individual workouts. Tanner has been a key to helping Elon’s transition to the Colonial Athletic Association since the program joined the league four years ago.
Prior to joining the Phoenix staff in 2014-15, Tanner spent three seasons as the director of basketball operations on the men’s basketball staff at UNCG. He also spent two seasons with VCU from 2009-2011 as a graduate assistant, playing a part in the Rams’ remarkable run to the Final Four in 2011. Tanner was a student-athlete on the men’s basketball team at North Carolina, playing two seasons from 2007-09 and helping the Tar Heels win a National Championship in 2009.
“J.B. [Tanner] has worked incredibly hard in the four years he’s been here and has earned the opportunity to be on the road as a recruiter in addition to the many other coaching duties,” Matheny added. “He knows the ins and outs of our program, he has been given many responsibilities in his time here, and he’s been on the road recruiting already when given the opportunity. This will be another great step in his progression.”
Gibson joins the Phoenix staff after completing his second year as the assistant men’s basketball coach at William Peace. The Pacers are coming off a historic 2016-17 season as the program won its most games in school history. He has familiarity with the program as he has worked Elon basketball camps over the last few years.
A graduate of William Peace, Gibson was a three-time USA South Conference All-Academic selection across his college basketball career with the Pacers. He was part of the inaugural men’s basketball season in 2012-13 and helped springboard the program during the 2014-15 season, as they went on to finish second in the USA South Conference. After graduating from William Peace in the spring of 2015, Gibson went on to coach at Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill from 2015-16 before returning to his alma mater as part of the men’s basketball coaching staff.
“I’m excited for Bryson Gibson to join us,” Matheny said. “I’ve watched him as a player and as an assistant coach at his alma mater. I’ve also watched him up close as he has worked our basketball camps over the past few years. He’s got a bright future in the coaching profession.”
Gibson graduated Cum Laude with a degree in political science and was a part of the first male class at William Peace to walk across the stage after the university went coeducational in 2012-13.
http://elonphoenix.com/news/2018/6/7/mens-basketball-announces-coaching-staff-changes.aspx
