Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)
Two D3 Assistants Make the Jump to Division I
I have heard that Wesleyan University (CT) assistant coach Matt Bielenda is headed to Boston University, where he will assume an administrative role (most likely as the Terriers’ new video coordinator). Bielenda spent the past two seasons at Wesleyan and helped guide the Cardinals to the NCAA Division III Final Four this past year.
Emmanuel College (MA) assistant Shawn McCall is joining the staff at Eastern Michigan as a graduate assistant. McCall came to Emmanuel last summer after finishing his playing career at Lesley University.
Dangerfield departs Lafayette basketball staff
I have heard that Director of Operations and Assistant Coach Darius Dangerfield has departed the staff at Lafayette. Dangerfield joined the Leopards staff prior to the 2023-24 season following two years as the top assistant at Harford Community College.
D1 Graduate Assistants on the move
Former Memphis graduate assistant Zach Conner has been hired as an assistant at NJCAA D1 Ranger College (TX). Prior to his time working for Penny Hardaway at Memphis, he served as a manager at TCU.
Noah Jacobs has been hired as an assistant coach at D2 University of Illinois Springfield. He served the previous two years as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Jacobs will replace former UIS assistant Earl Lewis who has been hired as an assistant coach at Wabash Valley College.
D3 Assistant Hirings
I have heard that Drew Shaw has been hired as an assistant coach at D3 William Peace University (NC). He spent last season as an assistant at Penn State Harrisburg, and was an assistant at his alma mater Guilford for three seasons before that. I have also heard the PSU Harrisburg head coach Don Friday has elevated his son Donald to the position of top assistant on his staff. The younger Friday played for his father from 2019-23 and has been on the staff since wrapping up his playing career.
Albert Almanza has been hired as an assistant coach at D3 Schreiner University (TX). Following his playing career at SHSU, Almanza played overseas and has also worked as a player development coach in the Austin, TX area.
Former college coaches headed to the high school level
Former D2 Lees-Mcrae head coach Steve Hardin has been hired as the head coach at University High in Johnson City, TN. More on that move HERE.
Pat Lepper, a former assistant at D1 Purdue Ft. Wayne has taken over as the head coach at Manchester High School (IN). More HERE.
Marques McKinney, who was most recently an assistant at SUNY Onondaga, has been named as the head coach at Manlius Pebble Hill high school. More on this one HERE.
ICYMI from earlier today
D3 Wheaton (MA) head coach Brian Walmsley moves to an administrative role – alum Alex DuBrow named interim head coach – D3 DIRT.
NJCAA D1 Otero will hire Eastern New Mexico assistant Tim Bowlen as their new head coach – JUCO DIRT.
For a full list of coaching changes across NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO levels, check out the 2025 Coaching Changes Tracker presented by D1.relocation [HERE].
