Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball head coach Greg Sparling officially announced the addition of Jesse Brown, who will serve as the program’s associate head coach.
Brown becomes Sparling’s first coaching hire since taking over the program in July. The 2018-19 men’s basketball season will be the inaugural season in for the duo, who replaced former head coach Mick Durham and former assistant coach Bobby Howard.
“I am blessed, grateful and very excited to continue my coaching career at UAF,” Brown said on Thursday. “I would like to thank Coach Sparling and the rest of the administration for this opportunity. Go Nooks!”
Last season, Brown served as the men’s basketball assistant coach to in-state rival Alaska Anchorage. The Seawolves finished the 2017-18 season with an overall record of 15-14, tied for fourth place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings with a conference mark of 11-9. UAA qualified for the 2018 GNAC Tournament before falling to Seattle Pacific 64-51 in the quarterfinal round.
Throughout the 2016-17 season, Brown was the volunteer assistant for the Seawolves men’s basketball team, helping them to an overall record of 21-8. The Seawolves closed-out the regular season with a 15-5 conference record, placing second in the league standings. After three overtimes in the 2017 GNAC Tournament semifinal game, UAA’s season ended after being beat out by Western Oregon 91-84.
During his time with the Seawolves, Brown helped UAA men’s basketball earn one Division II Bulletin Honorable Mention, one All-West Region National Basketball Coaches Association First Team selection, one All-GNAC First Team honoree, four All-GNAC Second Team selections and two All-GNAC Honorable Mentions. Off the court, Brown had six of his players named to the GNAC All-Academic Team from 2016-18.
Prior to joining the staff in his hometown of Anchorage, Brown was the associate head coach for the Green River Community College in Auburn, Washington from 2014-16. Throughout his two seasons, Brown helped the GRCC men’s basketball team to an overall record of 32-28 and earning a trip to the North West Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWACC) Final Four.
Brown served in various positions within the men’s basketball staff at Tacoma Community College from 2008-2014. Brown and the Titans made it to the NWACC Elite 8 on four occasions, claiming the championship title in 2012.
After suiting up for the Seawolves from 2001-04, Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in history from UAA in 2009. Brown is currently working toward earning his master’s degree in human performance from Adams State University.
https://alaskananooks.com/news/2018/8/2/general-sparling-names-brown-nanooksmbb-assistant-coach.aspx
