ETSU head men’s basketball coach Steve Forbes is reuniting some familiar faces as he starts building his new Buccaneers’ coaching staff.
Forbes officially announced Thursday that two of his former coaching colleagues will be joining him on the bench at ETSU. Jason Shay and Brooks Savage both spent seven years alongside Forbes at Tennessee and Northwest Florida Community College.
“Over the seven years we have worked together, Jason, Brooks, and I have a combined record of 189-59, appearing in five NCAA Tournaments and two NJCAA National Championships together,” Forbes said. “These guys are flat out winners and the type of people I want to surround myself with.”
Shay, who most recently spent two seasons as an assistant coach at North Dakota, worked primarily with post players at UND and was an integral part of the program’s recruiting efforts.
“Jason and I have won a lot of big games the seven years we have worked together at Tennessee and Northwest Florida,” Forbes said. “He has one of the brightest minds in all of college basketball. Our players and our program will benefit greatly from his knowledge and experience. I have the utmost respect for Jason and I’m thrilled he has decided to join me at ETSU. His family and my family are very close and this tight knit chemistry will be very important for the future of our program.”
Meanwhile, Savage spent the last two seasons as an assistant at the Bucs’ Southern Conference rival Chattanooga. Forbes said Savage will be a perfect fit for the staff at ETSU.
“Like Jason, I have a seven-year relationship with Brooks that extends to our time at Tennessee and Northwest Florida,” Forbes said. “He is a rising star in this business. His experience in the SoCon the past two years at UTC has proved invaluable to me in the early stages of building our program here. Brooks has a tremendous work ethic and understands how important it is to build meaningful relationships with young people. I have complete faith in his abilities on and off the court.”
Shay said he’s excited to be back on the sideline with his good friend and coaching colleague.
“My family and I are extremely appreciative to be a part of Coach Forbes’ staff and the ETSU family,” Shay said. “He’s a terrific coach and an even better person. I’ve learned a tremendous amount working closely with Steve for seven years. He has helped me define and shape my coaching foundation. I look forward to helping him and the staff continues to build on the tradition and success of ETSU basketball.”
Savage said he was also pleased to be back with a group of coaches who have had so much success together.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be back with Coach Forbes and to be a part of the ETSU family,” Savage said. “It’s an institution and a program of rich tradition and a passionate fan base that I have always admired. Coach Forbes has had a significant influence on my life both on and off the court. He is a terrific coach and person who I have learned a great deal from. I’m looking forward to working with our student-athletes and to be back on the same bench with Coach Forbes and Coach Shay.”
