Tyler Thayer rejoins the Barry University men’s basketball coaching staff this fall, director of athletics Michael L. Covone announced today.
Thayer was previously a volunteer assistant with the Bucs in 2018-19, helping the team to an 18-11 record, including a 12-8 mark in the Sunshine State Conference. Daniel Mortensen earned Second-Team All-SSC, while Tylan Birts was named to the All-Newcomer team.
“When Tyler was here early in his career, it was obvious that he was going to be a very good college coach,” Barry head coach Butch Estes said. “Although we had a lot of qualified candidates, my familiarity with Tyler made this an easy choice.”
Prior to returning to Barry, Thayer served with former Barry star Ryan Saunders as they worked to build the men’s basketball program at Converse College in South Carolina. Thayer also spent two stints at Independence CC under former Barry assistant Bill Morosco, where he helped lead the Pirates to a 23-9 mark in 2018-19.
While he was at Converse, he also served as interim sports information director, updating the website, GoValkyries.com, on all 15 sports and running game management for selected sports as well.
As a player, Thayer led Barton in made three-pointers with 55 in 2015-16 and also received the team’s William Gear Spencer Sportsmanship Award. Thayer excelled in the classroom as well, being named to the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll for the Spring 2016 semester. He played his freshman year at UNC-Pembroke, where he was on the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll.
“I’m incredibly grateful for to Coach Estes and Mike Covone for the opportunity to come back to Barry where my coaching career began,” Thayer said. “I am excited for the challenge and opportunity of coaching at one of the best D-II programs in the county and helping our guys pursue their best on and off the court.”
Thayer earned his bachelor’s degree from Barton College in 2017 in sport management, with a minor in business administration. He earned his master’s in sport management from Barry in 2019.
