Aurora University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Airy announced the addition of two assistant coaches to the Spartan program as the men’s basketball team will welcome John Daniels and Christian Butler.
The two additions bring a wide range of experience to the Spartan men’s basketball program with Daniels being no stranger to the AU campus. Daniels oldest son Bobby is a senior with the Spartan football program and in his third year as a student assistant with the program and JT will be a sophomore with the Spartans. With over 25 years of coaching collegiately and in high school throughout the Chicago area, Daniels brings experience to the Thornton Gymnasium floor.
“We are incredibly fortunate to add a coach of John’s caliber and experience to our staff. He is a masterful teacher of both the game, and the life lessons that are at the heart of team athletics,” said Airy. “Coach Daniels is widely respected throughout Chicagoland high school basketball circles, as he has built multiple regional championship programs, and has helped players to achieve their dreams of playing basketball at the college level and beyond. Our guys will benefit immensely from his wisdom, energy, and relationship-based teaching… we are lucky to have him as a Spartan.”
Butler comes to AU early in his coaching career, spending the last two years as a graduate assistant at Montana State University – Billings with four years as a student assistant at Hope College. Butler comes from a coaching family, as his father, Larry, is a longtime head coach in Texas.
“Christian is a bright young coach who will make an instant positive impact on our program. He has mentored under phenomenal college coaches at both Hope and MSU Billings, and is well prepared to take the next step in his coaching career,” said Airy. “He is a relationship driven teacher of the game, a passionate competitor, and possesses a limitless work ethic. Coach Butler has a BRIGHT future in our profession, and I am excited that our guys will benefit from his work going forward.”
The Spartans are scheduled to return to the court in January of 2021 with the 2020 portion of the schedule being postponed due to the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
