Sun Devil Men’s Basketball completed their 2022-23 coaching and support staff as Head Coach Bobby Hurley announced several personnel moves. 
 
Current Assistant Coach Jermaine Kimbrough was promoted to Associate Head Coach. Director of Scouting and Player Development Brandon Rosenthal has been elevated to Assistant Coach, joining Kimbrough and Assistant Coach George Aramide on Hurley’s coaching staff. 
 
Former Western Illinois Assistant Coach and Chicago native Nick Irvin will serve as a Special Assistant to the Head Coach. Mickey Mitchell, who emerged as a fan favorite during his three-year career in Tempe, will join his former coach’s staff as a Player Personnel/Recruiting & Analytics Special Assistant. The final addition includes another familiar face, as Justin McLean returns to Sun Devil Men’s Basketball as the Director of Scouting and Player Development. 
 
Jermaine Kimbrough, Associate Head Coach
Sun Devil Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach Jermaine Kimbrough has been promoted to Associate Head Coach by Bobby Hurley. Kimbrough joined the staff in the Spring of 2021 and hit the ground running, establishing himself as a force on the recruiting trail and an excellent developer of players.
 
“It was a no-brainer to elevate Jermaine into this position,” Hurley remarked. “He has checked all the boxes since he got here. There is no doubt he will be a future head coach. I am excited to continue working with him.”
 
Kimbrough was a main reason for the midseason turnaround during the 2021-22 campaign, as the Sun Devils won seven of their final eight games of the regular season. This included completing a sweep of Oregon and Utah. It was sparked by a huge win over No. 3 UCLA, knocking off the Top-5 Bruins at a packed Desert Financial Arena. Kimbrough helped the team get prepared on the road, with ASU pulling off several impressive wins in tough environments. Arizona State defeated Creighton, Washington State, Colorado, in addition to the Ducks and Utes on the road. 
 
The impact of Kimbrough’s defensive mindset was apparent right away, with the Sun Devils holding 18 opponents under 40 percent shooting. ASU finished third in field goal percentage defense (692-of-1736/.399) — behind only Arizona (.382) and USC (.389) — and second in three-point defense (222-of-713/.311).
 
Arizona State finished with ten wins in conference play in Kimbrough’s first season in Tempe, only the eight time the program has reached double digit conference wins since the 1994-95 season. The Sun Devils had a Pac-12 All-Conference selection for the fifth consecutive year, with Kimbrough’s expertise in player development helping keep the streak alive. 
 
A native of northeast, Ohio, Kimbrough was an assistant coach for two seasons at Loyola-Chicago and the three prior seasons at the University of Wyoming.
Kimbrough played a key role in helping the Ramblers to a 21-win season in 2019-20 and then the success of 2020-21 team that reached the Sweet Sixteen and went 26-5. Over the last four years, Loyola has compiled 99 wins.
 
Center Cameron Krutwig finished second in the voting for Larry Bird trophy as the 2019-20 MVC Player of the Year, earning first team all-league accolades, while freshman guard Marquise Kenney was chosen as the MVC Sixth Man of the Year. Tate Hall was hailed as a Third Team All-MVC pick and Lucas Williamson picked up MVC All-Defensive Team recognition.
 
During his three-year stint at Wyoming, Kimbrough helped lead the Cowboys to a pair of 20-win seasons, including an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) in 2016-17, and developed two All-Mountain West Conference selections, Justin James and Hayden Dalton, who were honored on multiple occasions.
 
Before heading to Wyoming, Kimbrough, a 2001 graduate of Virginia Tech, spent one season at the University of Nevada, where he helped the Wolf Pack to a 24-win campaign in 2015-16. That season, Nevada captured the CBI title and also delivered four All-Mountain West Conference individual honors.
 
Kimbrough spent the bulk of his career at Cleveland State University, where he served nine seasons as an assistant coach under Gary Waters. During his tenure with the Vikings, Kimbrough was a key part of four postseason appearances, including a NCAA tournament and three trips to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), and CSU racked up five 20-win campaigns. He helped recruit an abundance of talent to Cleveland State, including Norris Cole, who was a 2011 NBA Draft pick, as well as NBA players Bryn Forbes, Trey Lewis and Ike Nwamu.
 
Upon graduation, Kimbrough moved right into the coaching ranks, first serving as an assistant at Howard College from 2001-03 before moving on to Cleveland State as director of operations. After a season at CSU, he spent one year (2004-05) as the director of operations at Massachusetts and then one season at Purdue Fort Wayne (then IPFW) as an assistant coach before returning to Cleveland State.
 
Kimbrough began his playing career at St. Catherine College before transferring to Virginia Tech, where he played two seasons (1998-2000) before graduating with a degree in psychology. He was a prep standout at Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland, earning all-league honors on four occasions and all-city accolades three times. As a senior, he was a second team all-state designee after pouring in 26 points per game.
 
Kimbrough and his wife, Tameka, have five children.
 
Brandon Rosenthal, Assistant Coach
 
Rising coaching star Brandon Rosenthal has been promoted to Assistant Coach by Bobby Hurley, filling out the final spot on the Sun Devil Men’s Basketball coaching staff. Rosenthal has served as the Director of Scouting and Player Development for the past three seasons. He has over a decade of experience thriving in a variety of roles at both the collegiate and professional level.
 
“This is a natural progression for a guy who has NBA experience as a coach,” Hurley mentioned. “He’s worked here with me for several years and I really trust his knowledge of the game. He adds a lot of value in practice helping us be prepared on Gameday.”
 
As the Director of Scouting and Player Development, Rosenthal was essential to the success of the program, providing support in a variety of areas. In his scouting role, Rosenthal was in charge of breaking down opposing personnel and assisting with creating gameplans. On the player development side, Rosenthal worked closely with several players who have made a considerable jump since arriving in Tempe.
 
A signature of Head Coach Bobby Hurley’s teams has been their performances in close games. This hasn’t changed since Rosenthal joined the staff in 2019, with Arizona State consistently proving to be one of the most prepared teams in late-game situations. In Rosenthal’s three seasons, ASU is an incredible 24-13 in games decided by two possessions or less (six points).   
 
The impact of Rosenthal and the coaching staff was no more apparent than at the end of last season, when the Sun Devils won seven of their last eight games in the regular season. Rosenthal also had a big hand in preparing Arizona State for their matchup with No. 3 UCLA at Desert Financial Arena, a game the Sun Devils won 87-84 in triple overtime.
 
The 2020-21 season was heavily affected by COVID-19, but this did not stop Sun Devil Men’s Basketball from accomplishing some impressive feats. Rosenthal’s second season in Tempe saw ASU win a Pac-12 Tournament game for only the sixth time in program history and the first instance in which they did it in back-to-back tournaments.
 
In his first season with Sun Devil Men’s Basketball, Rosenthal contributed to an impressive regular season effort. Arizona State went 20-11, including an 11-7 conference record, clinching the No. 3 seed in the Pac-12 Tournament. Sparked by a midseason seven-game winning streak, the 2019-20 team was a lock for a NCAA Tournament bid before it was canceled due to COVID-19.  
 
A Sun Devil has been named to one of the Pac-12 All-Conference Teams (two First Team) in each of the past three seasons, a testament to Rosenthal’s work with player development. In 2021, guard Josh Christopher became the first Sun Devil to be selected in the NBA Draft since 2013. Christopher had a standout freshman season with Rosenthal’s help, leading to him being taken by the Houston Rockets with the 24th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He was the Sun Devil taken in the first round since James Harden in 2009. Christopher came out of Arizona State ready for the next level, immediately making an impact in Houston as a Rookie.
 
Prior to his time with Arizona State, Rosenthal spent three seasons with the Phoenix Suns organization where he served in various roles including video scouting and player development. He spent his first season in the organization as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns’ G-League affiliate the Northern Arizona Suns.
 
During the 2018-2019 season, he was responsible for opponent scouting, helping organize and initiating the scouting process and creating self-scouts to evaluate the team’s schemes and player development. 
 
At the start of the 2017-2018 season Rosenthal was promoted to the Suns’ staff, where he worked closely with other members of the staff on the programming, design, and implementations of the Suns’ player development program. He also was responsible for scouting all 29 of the Suns’ opponents’ personnel and assisting with game planning.  He created a defensive accountability system designed to help assist with improving the team’s defensive system and evaluation of their individual and team performance.
 
During the 2016-2017 season, Rosenthal coached with Ty Ellis and the Northern Arizona Suns during their inaugural season.  The team was highly regarded as one of the best defensive teams in the G-League and recognized for their development of several NBA’s players.
 
Known for his attention to detail and tireless work ethic, Rosenthal earned a strong reputation for helping develop players. He oversaw the development of the team’s young trio of point guards, Askia Booker, Josh Gray, and Shaq Harrison. All three players were invited to participate in the 2017 NBA Summer League, with Gray and Harrison earning their first NBA call ups the following season.
 
Rosenthal also spent time working with former Suns players Dragan Bender, Alan Williams, Tyler Ulis, Isaiah Canaan, Derrick Jones Jr., and NBA call-ups Johnny O’Bryant III and Xavier Silas.
 
Before joining the Phoenix Suns organization, Rosenthal spent the 2015-16 season with the Houston Rockets as a basketball operations video assistant under Head Coach Kevin McHale and Interim Head Coach JB Bickerstaff. While with the Rockets and Sun Devil alum James Harden, the Rockets advanced to the 2016 NBA playoffs.  Rosenthal helped initiate the first shooting analytics database in the NBA.  The data collected helped assist the staff and players with developing specific shooting routines for each player.  He also worked closely with the staff on opponent scouts and skill development.
 
Before joining the Rockets, Rosenthal spent three years at Santa Clara University with Head Coach Kerry Keating. He began as the team’s video-coordinator, transitioning into Director of Basketball Operations and serving as the team’s interim assistant coach.
 
Santa Clara would go onto win the College Basketball Invitational in 2013.  During that span Rosenthal worked with Kevin Foster and Jared Brownridge, two of the West Coast Conference’s all-time great scorers and currently first and second respectively in three pointers made in conference history.
 
Rosenthal has also served as a graduate assistant with Andre Cook at St. Edwards University (2010-12), and assisted with Rod Baker and the Rochester RazorSharks of the Premier Basketball League. In his lone season with the team, the RazorSharks would advance to the league finals.
 
Rosenthal played and served as an undergraduate assistant at St. John Fisher College for one of the all-time winningest Division III coaches Rob Kornaker.  The team compiled an 82-34 record (2006-10), winning multiple Empire 8 league titles and earning four postseason trips, including two appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament. 
 
Rosenthal earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management from St. John Fisher College in 2010 and a Masters of Arts in Teaching Degree from St. Edwards University in 2012.
 
The Tucson, Ariz. native and Catalina Foothills graduate is also the co-owner of Rising Coaches, an organization created for coaches by coaches which offers collaborative assistance, networking and avenues for career growth.  The organization’s online platform, conferences and clinics are attended by thousands of coaches each year.
 
He and his wife Haley were married in Temecula, California in July of 2019.
 
Nick Irvin, Special Assistant to Head Coach
Western Illinois Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach Nick Irvin has accepted a position as the Special Assistant to the Head Coach on Bobby Hurley’s staff. A renowned Chicago coaching legend, Irvin has spent the past two seasons with the Leathernecks and will bring his Midwest connections to Tempe.
 
“We share a similar upbringing in the game and that allowed us to click instantly,” Hurley observed. “I have gotten to know Nick over the past couple of years and he comes from a prestigious basketball family in Chicago. He is great at connecting with players, really knows the game, and will be a great addition to what we are doing.”
 
In his role as Assistant Coach, Irvin was responsible for recruiting prospective student-athletes and coordinating the team’s defensive strategies in addition to player development. Western Illinois saw a huge jump from year one to year two with Irvin on staff, improving their win total by nine games. Irvin also spearheaded the efforts to land the highest-rated recruiting class in program history.
 
The 2021-22 campaign started with a road win at Nebraska and ended with a 16-16 record. The 16 wins were the most by the Leathernecks since the 2012-13 season, with Irvin and company leading the program to a postseason appearance in The Basketball Classic Tournament.
 
Under the guidance of Irvin, the Leathernecks brought in a pair of transfers that made an instant impact. Guard Trenton Massner was a Second-Team All Summit selection while also being named to the All-Newcomer team and All-Defensive team. Luka Barisic earned All-Summit League Honorable Mention distinction while also joining Massner on the All-Newcomer team.
 
Irvin is part of Chicago basketball royalty, with his late father Mac sponsoring one of the most recognizable AAU programs in the nation, the Mac Irvin Fire. He followed in his father’s footsteps, making an impact in the Chicago basketball scene. Irvin was the Head Coach of Morgan Park High School for 12 seasons prior to his time with Western Illinois. During his tenure, the Mustangs compiled a 301-70 record, including two separate back-to-back IHSA Class 3A State Title runs in 2013-14 and 2017-18. 
 
Thanks to his efforts at Morgan Park, Irvin received numerous Coach of the Year awards. He was recognized as the Chicago Public School Coach of the Year four times and was the 2013 NFHS Illinois Coach of the Year. After the state title run in 2017, USA Today tabbed him as the Coach of the Year. Not only did his teams succeed on the court, but 100% of the graduating members of the Boys Varsity team were accepted into college. 
 
While at Morgan Park, Irvin mentored several all-state selections and became a fixture in the Chicago hoops scene. Three of his players at Morgan Park would garner All-American status, including Chicago Bulls 2021 NBA Draft pick Ayo Dosunmu. Irvin has coached over 20 players that went on to star at the Division I and professional level. This list includes Tim Hardaway Jr., Jalen Brunson, Jabari Parker, and Jahlil Okafor. 
 
He also served as the Assistant Executive Director of the Louise & Mac Irvin Foundation for 15 years, helping provide an outlet for youth in the Chicago area through the sport of basketball.
 
Irvin starred at Carver High School, finishing his career with over 3,000 points. Thanks to his accomplishments, Irvin’s jersey has been retired and he is a member of the Carver Athletics Hall of Fame. He would then go on to play two seasons at Fresno State from 1999-2001. His oldest brother Byron was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers and played in the NBA from 1989-1991.
 
Irvin received a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Shaw University. He will be joined in Tempe by his wife, Lindsay, and their three daughters Cynthia, Laniya, and Carolina Chicago Irvin. 
 
Mickey Mitchell, Player Personnel/Recruiting & Analytics Special Assistant
Sun Devil Men’s Basketball will stay within the family with the next addition to the support staff, as Bobby Hurley adds Mickey Mitchell as a Player Personnel/Recruiting & Analytics Special Assistant. Mitchell played forward under Hurley from 2017-20, becoming a fan favorite after battling back from injuries midway through his career.
 
“Mickey was a part of some of my best teams here,” Coach Hurley reflected. “He is a warrior that has a great work ethic. It is great to have a former player that understands what success looks like here. He is young, energetic, and will be great in this role.”
 
Mitchell returns to Tempe after the completion of his professional career, as he spent time in Japan and Bosnia over the past three years. He was most recently a starting forward for the Yokohama Excellence and engaged in youth clinics as part of his role as an ambassador for the team.
 
Arizona State fans will remember him best from when he came back from health issues in 2019-20, providing a spark for the Sun Devils. He played in 23 games, starting in 11, averaging 15.6 minutes per game and grabbing 22 offensive rebounds. When Mitchell was inserted into the starting lineup at Washington on Feb. 1, the team ran off seven straight Pac-12 wins for the first time since 1980-81. 
 
After having to sit out the first eight games of the season due to transfer rules, Mitchell wasted no time fitting in with the team, playing in the rest of the 24 games in the 2017-18 season. Mitchell averaged 5.8 points and 5.2 rebounds over 22.5 minutes, starting in 11 games. He was a key contributor to a team that made the NCAA Tournament, with Mitchell finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, and two steals in the NCAA First Round matchup against Syracuse.
 
His highly intelligent style of play translated to the classroom, as Mitchell was a 2020 Pac-12 Conference Academic Honor Roll Recipient. Earlier in his career, he was named Sun Devil Student Athlete of the Month for October of 2018.
 
The skilled 6-7 forward transferred from Ohio State after one season in Columbus. While with the Buckeyes, Mitchell started the final seven games and appeared in 23 of the final 24 games as a freshman.
 
Mitchell received his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in May of  2019. 
 
Justin McLean, Director of Scouting and Player Development
Justin McLean is returning to Sun Devil Men’s Basketball, this time hired by Bobby Hurley to be the Director of Scouting and Player Development. This will be McLean’s second stint in Tempe, originally joining the Sun Devil staff as Video Coordinator in 2015.
 
“It is awesome to be reunited with Justin,” Hurley noted. “This is a similar role that he thrived in before he left to be a full-time assistant. His experience and familiarity with me is invaluable. He is going to bring a lot to the table.”
 
Most recently, McLean was an Assistant Coach at Northern Arizona University for the 2019-20 season. While with the Lumberjacks, he was part of identifying and recruiting the highest-rated signing class in program history. He was in charge of game-planning and scouting reports for a team that improved its win total by six and made only the eighth postseason appearance in school history. NAU went 16-14 with McLean as the Assistant Coach, the only time in the past seven seasons the Lumberjacks finished over .500. McLean also designed and implemented a player development program, leading to NAU earning three Big Sky All-Conference selections. 
 
Previously, McLean was a member of the Sun Devil Men’s Basketball staff, serving as the Video Coordinator for four seasons. One of new Head Coach Bobby Hurley‘s first moves was retaining McLean, who had been a Graduate Assistant for the prior two seasons. During this time, McLean earned his Master’s degree in Liberal Studies/Film and Media Studies in 2015.
 
McLean contributed to one of the most successful runs in Sun Devil Men’s Basketball history, supervising all video and technology programming from 2015-2019. He was in charge of editing all practice and game video for coaches and players to utilize. In this role, McLean was able to assist with on-campus recruiting activities. Arizona State made two NCAA Tournament appearances during McLean’s tenure, which led to an opportunity for him to become an Assistant Coach at the Division I level.
 
Prior to his time at Arizona State, he was a Student Manager for four seasons at St. John’s University under Steve Lavin and Norm Roberts, while completing his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management with a minor in Business.
 
St. John’s (2011) and Arizona State (2013) were NCAA Tournament teams, with McLean witnessing both Jordan Bachynski and Chris Obekpa lead the nation in blocked shots while on the Red Storm and Sun Devil benches. While at St. John’s, McLean was able to watch the staff tutor two Big East Rookies of the Year in Moe Harkless and Jakarr Sampson.
 
He also was Camp Instructor at the Five-Star Basketball Camp through the years and has worked and volunteered with the City of Tempe and at NCAA Tournament sites in Newark and Washington D.C.
 
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native graduated from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in 2009.
 
He and his wife, Meghan, have three children – Lennox Grey, Isaiah and Solise.

Story Courtesy: Connor Smith, ASU Athletics