Drexel Head Men’s Basketball Coach Zach Spiker has named Will Chavis as an assistant coach for the upcoming season. Chavis will be returning to the college game after serving as a high school head coach in Philadelphia for the last four seasons.
Chavis will work with all aspects of the program. That will include player development, recruiting and scouting. He will begin his recruiting duties this week.
“Will brings a combination of skills that will translate seamlessly with our players and staff,” said Spiker. “His experience and success as a player alongside his coaching experiences will allow him to be a great mentor to our players. As a coach, his ability to get the most out of his players is evident from the job he has done at McDevitt the past four years. Equally as important as his success, he has done it with a spirit that reflects the pillars of our program. Gratitude. Respect. Compete. We are excited to add Will and his family to our program.”
Chavis comes to Drexel after serving as the head coach at nearby Bishop McDevitt High School. In his four years at the school, he won 63 games. Chavis saw his team tie the school record for wins in a season during his first year and break that mark in 2018 and again in 2019. The school’s 21 wins in 2019 were the most in school history. He was named the PCL Coach of the Year and the PIAA 3A PA State Coach of the Year after that historic season.
Chavis was also an AAU Head Coach with WeR1 for five seasons. He had other stints as a head coach at the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic, for USA Select Basketball in China and for both the USA and German teams after his playing career ended. After graduating from college, Chavis played professionally for more than 10 years in a number of countries. He spent the majority of his pro career in Germany, but also played in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Iceland and for brief stretches in both Italy and France.
Chavis graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Texas Tech in 2003. He was Bobby Knight’s first recruit after he received his associates degree at Panola College. While at Panola, he was a NJCAA Second Team All-American and a First Team All-Region selection.
The Philadelphia native attended Engineering and Science High School, the same school that graduated Drexel Hall of Famer Michael Anderson. Chavis graduated as the fourth all-time leading scorer at the school with more than 1,000 career points. He was named First Team Philadelphia Daily News All Public and was a Second Team All-City pick.
Chavis and his wife, Larisa, have two children, Aiden and Maria. They reside in Philadelphia.
Drexel Names Will Chavis Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach
