Aquinas head men’s basketball coach Ryan Bertoia is pleased to announce some changes to his coaching staff, along with a new hire to the Saints program. Bertoia has added Joe Powers to the AQ staff as an assistant coach, while also making a couple of title changes to his current group of coaches.
Powers spent the last two seasons as a graduate assistant with Division I Oakland, where he held several duties, including student-athlete development and serving as an academic liaison. He also organized the team’s offseason calendar and led the scout team in its daily preparation. Oakland combined to finish 48-21 during Powers’ two seasons, including a 27-9 mark in the Horizon League.
“I am beyond excited to be back at Aquinas College, my alma mater,” said Powers. “Coach Bertoia and the athletic administration have given me an opportunity to be in a leadership role and I cannot express how thankful I am for their trust in me. Aquinas College embodies the champions of character initiative and I’m thrilled to be a part of this fantastic culture set within Aquinas athletics.”
During his first year at Oakland, Powers coached Horizon League Player of the Year and AP Third Team All-American Kay Felder, who was also a finalist for the John R. Wooden and Bob Cousy awards. Felder led Division I with 9.3 assists per game and was fourth in the country in scoring at 24.4 points per contest before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Powers returns to Aquinas after spending three years with the Saints program from 2012-2015. During his first tenure at AQ, he helped the coaching staff with recruiting and was also the head junior varsity coach. Powers served as the camp director for Aquinas’ summer basketball camps and worked on player development with the team’s weight room activities.
“Having Joe back at Aquinas means a lot for the program and myself,” Bertoia explained. “Joe played here, we coached together here, then he worked at the Division I level for two years for a very successful Oakland University program. In the short time he has been back on campus, I have witnessed Joe’s growth as a coach and person. Joe has an energy and enthusiasm that is unmatched and it’s very contagious, but also a realness that players need and respect.”
At Aquinas, Powers will have several responsibilities, including recruiting, player development, strength and conditioning, practice and game preparation, travel arrangements, and assistance in the equipment room.
In addition to bringing Powers back to the Saints community and staff, Bertoia has promoted Gene Gifford to Associate Head Coach. Bertoia commented on Gifford’s promotion among the coaching staff: “During last season, the tutelage, knowledge, and support Gene not only gave to the players but to the entire coaching staff and program was vital in our success and I am proud to have him as the Associate Head Coach.”
The other change to the coaching staff is third-year assistant coach Pete Sabiiti will resume that role, but also take on the responsibility of head junior varsity coach. Bertoia said of Sabiiti’s new assignment: “Peter is such a great ambassador of our school and program. There is not another person on campus as well-liked as Peter. Becoming the head JV coach is the next step as Peter has been paying his dues and working hard for several years. He will continue to help the varsity team, but will also have a chance to develop his own coaching philosophies and strategies.”
Last season, Aquinas finished the year with a 19-15 overall record, which included an 87-77 home victory over #1 Cornerstone. The Saints upended #8 Davenport in the conference semifinals to advance to the WHAC Tournament championship game and earn a berth in the NAIA National Tournament. AQ opens up the 2017-18 season against Indiana Wesleyan in Spring Arbor, Mich. on Oct. 27.
