The Albany State University men’s basketball program has added two new faces to the coaching staff for the 2018-2019 season.

Ernest Shand and Mikon Hewitt will join head coach Patrick Gayle on the Albany State sideline at West Campus this fall.

“Coach Shand is a proven winner at the junior college and high school level. He also brings to Albany State a high level of professionalism that has earned him an outstanding reputation with his peers and former student- athletes,” says Gayle who will be entering his first season as the head coach of the Golden Rams.

Shand comes to Albany State after a four year stint as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona. During his time at MCC, the T-Birds earned a post season berth each year and advanced to the ACCAC Championship twice. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Shand earned his bachelors in Sociology from SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica, NY and completed his masters in Educational Leadership at Northern Arizona University.

Mikon Hewitt began his coaching career as a trainer with Press On Sports in Hollywood, Florida. He competed his undergraduate degree in Sports Administration this past May from St. Thomas University where he played collegiately under Coach Gayle.

“Mikon has been my coach on the court for 5 of my 6 seasons as a head coach. He is a winner who understands the system that I am trying to implement here at Albany State,” states Gayle. “He is extremely gifted at perimeter skill development and had an influence on some very talented players at his high school alma mater, Nova Southeastern University School.”

During his career as a student-athlete, Coach Hewitt won 78 games and was twice named the Sun Conference’s Defensive Player of the Player of the Year.

http://www.asugoldenrams.com/news/2018/8/28/golden-rams-add-to-mens-basketball-staff.aspx