I teased this one in yesterday’s DAILY DIRT – it’s now official. Here’s the press release from D3 Penn State Abington announcing the hiring of Justin Dunbar-Stevens as their new men’s basketball head coach:
Penn State Abington Director of Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation Erin Foley has announced that Justin Dunbar-Stevens will become the new head men’s basketball coach and 12th in program history at Abington. Dunbar-Stevens comes to Abington after serving in the same role at near-by Penn State Brandywine for the past five years.
“I am excited to welcome Justin to the Penn State Abington family as our next head men’s basketball coach,” said Foley. Justin brings a wealth of experience and extensive knowledge of the game to Abington after five successful years at Brandywine. We look forward to his impact he’ll have on the men’s basketball program not only on the court but also in the classroom and in the Abington community.”
Dunbar-Stevens was named head coach of the Brandywine men’s basketball program in 2018-19 and in five seasons totaled 55 victories, including three trips to the PSUAC Tournament. The 2020-21 season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I want to thank the Brandywine community for accepting me these last five years and allowing me to grow as a head coach and leader,” said Dunbar-Stevens. “I am grateful to take over the Penn State Abington program and to join the Abington community. Thanks to Erin Foley and the rest of the hiring committee for giving me the opportunity to serve our student-athletes and help them grow on and off the court. We aim to be a tough-minded group that will compete in the United East for years to come. I’m ready, and excited to get to work.”
In 2022-23, Dunbar-Stevens guided Brandywine to a 19-win season and the top-seed in the PSUAC Tournament after winning the conference’s East Division during the regular season. He was named PSUAC Coach of the Year while two players earned all-conference honors, including the program’s first-ever USCAA National Player of the Year. During his time at Brandywine, Dunbar-Stevens coached five all-conference players.
Prior to Brandywine, Dunbar-Stevens served as an assistant coach at Eastern University. During his two seasons on the Eagles’ bench, the team totaled 31 victories while reaching the conference tournament in both years. Five players earned all-conference recognition, including one Player of the Year during his tenure. Dunbar-Stevens was charged with defensive game-planning, scouting opponents, recruiting and team operations.
Dunbar-Stevens began his collegiate coaching career at Bucks County Community College in 2015-16 as an assistant coach. He was later elevated to interim head coach midway through the season and guided the team to an 11-win improvement over the prior season and the team’s first postseason appearance in eight years.
Dunbar-Stevens graduated from Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University) in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design Communication. He went on to earn an MBA at Eastern University in Business Management in 2019.
