St. Thomas coach Johnny Tauer has announced the addition of two full-time assistant coaches to strengthen the program’s transition into Division I men’s basketball.
Tauer welcomes the first full-time assistants in program history: a former Division I head coach in Mike Maker; and a 10-year Division I assistant coach in Gameli Ahelegbe (pronounced ga-ma-LEE ah-hel-LEG-buh).
“We are ecstatic that Mike, Gameli, and their families will be joining the St. Thomas Basketball family as we transition into Division I and join the Summit League for the 2021-22 season,” Tauer said.
Strong Resumes
Maker was head coach at Division I Marist for four seasons (2014-18), following a six-year run as head coach at Division III power Williams (Mass.) College (2008-14). His 30-plus year college coaching career has also included Division I assistant roles at Dartmouth, Samford, West Virginia and Creighton. Maker guided Williams to two NCAA runner-up finishes and one other Final Four appearance with a 147-32 overall mark. He shared the Basketball Times Division III National Coach of the Year award in 2010 with the Ephs.
“We are incredibly excited for Mike Maker to join our staff at St. Thomas,” Tauer said. “I believe we have hired one of the top offensive minds in college basketball. His passion for the game, his knowledge, and his commitment to helping student-athletes develop as players and people make him a perfect fit for St. Thomas and our basketball program.
“From his time at Dartmouth to West Virginia to Creighton — where he worked under John Beilein and Dana Altman — to his time as a head coach at Williams College and at Division I Marist, Mike brings unique experience. Mike’s teams have always played with passion, tenacity, and skill, and we are so fortunate to hire a coach with his values, knowledge, and passion.”
Maker resides in Northfield with his wife, Erica — the St. Olaf College women’s cross country coach — and their son, Jack.
A Twin Cities native, Ahelegbe received his bachelor’s degree and was basketball team captain for Minnesota State Mankato. He later received a Master’s degree from St. Thomas, and played professionally in the ABA with the Toldeo Ice.
After one season as an assistant coach at Minnesota State and one season at Concordia-Moorhead, Ahelegbe served three seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of North Dakota. He was part of two Great West Conference tournament crowns with UND. He has worked the last seven seasons as an assistant at the University of South Dakota. The Coyotes have had four top-three Summit League finishes in the last five seasons, including a 2016-17 squad that took the Summit championship and played in the National Invitation Tournament. In 2020-21, South Dakota played four games against NCAA tournament teams, including a home victory over eventual Sweet 16 qualifier Oral Roberts.
“We are thrilled that Gameli Ahelegbe is joining our staff,” Tauer explained. “Gameli enjoyed a storied career as a player, at both Tartan High and Minnesota State. His decade of Division I coaching experience is especially relevant for us with his extensive Summit League experience at both the University of North Dakota and the University of South Dakota. Gameli’s connections in the Twin Cities, the broader state, and the region will also be instrumental in our recruiting efforts. He played a key role in South Dakota’s second-place Summit League finish in 2020-21, and his skills in recruiting, coaching defense, working with posts, and player development will be instrumental to our success.”
Ahelegbe and his wife, Syreeta, have four children: daughters Aniah, Azalyn and Ariella, along with a son, Amawuli (AJ).
Forward Thinking
St. Thomas closed out its NCAA Division III and MIAC eras this winter with a 7-0 record in a season shortened by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Purple will move to the Summit League and Division I competition starting with the 2021-22 season.
Twice named a Division III National Coach of the Year, Tauer guided the Tommies to the 2016 national championship, and reached one other Final Four. His 10-season record of 218-50 (.811) ranks in the top five of all NCAA men’s coaches in winning percentage.
His 2019-20 team closed No. 4 in the national rankings after Covid shut down the national playoffs just before the Sweet 16 round. This year’s unbeaten team will close at No. 2 in the national poll. In Tauer’s first nine full seasons as a head coach, St. Thomas won or shared eight of nine MIAC regular-season championships, and built a 15-6 NCAA playoff record.
https://tommiesports.com/news/2021/4/1/experienced-division-i-aides-join-mens-basketball-staff.aspx
