New Graceland University head men’s basketball coach Craig Doty announced his coaching staff this week.
Cory Hoff, who comes to Graceland via Mesa Community College, will be added to the staff and Daryl Betts will be retained.
Hoff spent the last four seasons as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Mesa Community College in Arizona. The Deckerville, Michigan native helped lead the Thunderbirds to a 84-36 record in his four seasons, three of which he was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator. This includes a remarkable 68-20 record in Arizona Community College Athletic Conference play.
“I am very excited to add Coach Hoff to the Graceland family,” head coach Craig Doty stated. “He is a worker, he understands recruiting and student-athlete management, he is very organized, and he can really coach. He will be of great value to our program and our institution.”
Hoff earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Wellness from Arizona State University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Coaching an Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine. He will be moving to Lamoni, Iowa with his wife of six years, Tatum, and 4-year old daughter Talea.
“I want to thank athletic director Joel Worlund and head coach Craig Doty for the opportunity to join the men’s basketball program at Graceland University,” Hoff stated. “Coach Doty is a successful coach because of the culture he builds within his program. I look forward to developing relationships and instilling that culture at a great institution. My family and I look forward to moving into the Lamoni community. I am grateful and excited to help Coach Doty build Graceland men’s basketball into a nationally recognized program.”
Daryl Betts, who just completed his first season at Graceland University in 2015-16, will stay on as an assistant at Graceland University in 2016-17.
“Coach Betts is a high energy guy who has a passion for the game of basketball,” Doty stated. “He will be able to provide a level of continuity to the program, which had some success last season. Coach Betts also has an understanding of the Heart of America Conference. He will be a valuable asset to our program as we move forward.”
Coach Betts is a native of Brighton, Illinois and earned his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and Sports Studies. He helped lead Graceland to a 17-15 overall record and a 4th place finish in the Heart of America Conference last season. Prior to Graceland, he was an assistant high school coach at South Harrison High School (MO). Coach Betts and his wife Elizabeth have been married for five years and have a son Liam (4) and a daughter, Cadence (1).
“I am excited to continue my tenure at Graceland University under Coach Doty and look forward to building on the success of last season,” Betts said. “Graceland is a special place with outstanding people. I am proud to be a Yellow Jacket.”
