First year head coach Kevin Kuwik has announced his coaching staff for the 2023-24 men’s basketball season.
“I am very excited about wide range of experiences that this staff will bring to the fight for our team this year,” stated Kuwik. “First and foremost, all five of them are winners, with extensive championship and NCAA Tournament experience as both players and coaches. This will prove an invaluable resource to our players as we compete for a Patriot League championship.”
Andrew Chrabascz comes to West Point as an assistant coach after serving as a graduate assistant for Rhode Island during the 2022-23 season, his first as a college coach. Chrabascz had a great career at Butler where he earned First Team All-Big East honors as a senior, followed by three seasons playing professionally in Europe.
“Andrew’s connections to Brad Stevens, Chris Holtmann, and Archie Miller have laid a foundation for what I know will be an excellent career as a coach,” declared Kuwik. “I know first-hand about the value of the Butler Way, and I am excited for Andrew to bring that experience to life for our players.”
Dr. Carson Cunningham joins the Black Knights after ten seasons as a college head coach, most recently at Incarnate Word from 2018-2023. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Carroll College from 2013-2018, where he led them to two NAIA Final Eight appearances. His playing experience includes earning freshman All-America status at Oregon State, leading Purdue to two Sweet 16 and one Elite Eight appearance, and then playing professionally in the CBA and Europe for three seasons. Cunningham also earned a Ph.D. in history and is the author of five books.
“Carson brings a unique background to our staff from both on and off the court perspectives,” stated Kuwik. “His prior head coaching experience at the Division I level will be a great resource for me, and just as importantly, his success as a competitor at the highest level of college basketball will be felt by our players.”
Jarren Dyson joins the staff after a one-year stint as at Christopher Newport. It was his second time at CNU with five years at Lafayette in between. Dyson helped CNU achieve remarkable success, including four conference championships, a Final Four appearance in 2016, and a Division III national championship this past season. Dyson played collegiately at Emory & Henry and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player after the 2009-10 season.
“JD will be an outstanding addition, working for Fran O’Hanlon and John Krikorian, two coaches whom I have the utmost respect for. He comes highly recommended for his ability to develop great relationships with his players, and his knowledge of the Patriot League will be a great asset to our staff,” added Kuwik.
Darius Stokes comes to the Hudson after seven seasons coaching at the University of Richmond and Fairleigh Dickinson. Stokes’ playing experience includes four years at Iowa, one year at Fairleigh Dickinson, and one year as a professional in Spain. Stokes’s father, Greg, played two years in the NBA, and his sister Kiah played at UConn and currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA.
“Darius’s willingness to perform any and all assigned tasks to a championship level and hunger to grow professionally have stood out in my conversations with everyone he has worked with,” stated Kuwik. “I know he will be tremendous with our players on the court and I am excited to watch him grow as a recruiter.”
Finally, Kuwik has retained Nick Thorsen, who has served on staff for the previous two seasons at West Point. Prior to that, Thorsen spent six seasons as the head coach for the United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS), compiling a 111-47 record. Thorsen has championship experience as both a player and assistant coach at his alma mater, Penn State Behrend.
“Nick has been a home run hire for me from Day One,” declared Kuwik. “His love for West Point, his tremendous relationships with our players, and his institutional knowledge have been critical to our success in this transition. Most importantly, he has been mentored by a great Buffalonian, Dave Niland, who clearly helped develop Nick’s great foundation as a coach.”
Army Basketball Staff Update
