Graceland University head men’s basketball coach Craig Doty has announced the hiring of AJ Gordon and the promotion of Cory Hoff.
Gordon comes to Graceland by way of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa where he has been an assistant coach the past two seasons. Despite Simpson having a 17-59 record in the three seasons prior to Gordon’s arrival, Gordon helped the Storm to a 31-21 overall record and a 17-13 Iowa Conference record in his two seasons in Indianola.
Before his time at Simpson, Gordon was a graduate assistant coach at NAIA-member Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska for two seasons. Gordon played college basketball at Dana College and Midland University graduating from Midland in 2013 with a Bachelors of Arts in Secondary Education. Gordon prepped at Treynor High School in western Iowa where he was a three-time all-conference performer. Gordon will also be the recruiting coordinator for the men’s basketball program at Graceland.
“We are thrilled to add AJ to our coaching staff this season,” head coach Craig Doty stated. “He has worked under two great coaches in Todd Eisner at Midland University and Brad Bjorkgren at Simpson College. AJ is an NAIA guy having played and coached at this level. We expect him to hit the ground running at Graceland as he focuses on recruiting the state of Iowa, working with our perimeter players, and helping with our team defense and scouting reports. We are excited to welcome AJ and his wife Regan to the Graceland family.”
Cory Hoff returns for his second season as an assistant coach at Graceland but will carry a new title. Doty’s right-hand man has been promoted to Associate Head Coach after helping Graceland to a 20-12 record, the program’s first NAIA Division I national ranking in school history, and a top five finish in the 14-team Heart of America Conference standings.
“Cory is instrumental in the success of our basketball program,” Doty stated. “He manages the men’s basketball office, he plays a big role in game preparation, and he is active in nearly all facets of our program. Cory is extremely organized and loyal. Cory, his wife Tatum, and their two daughters have embraced living in southern Iowa and have been wonderful additions to our community.”
Prior to his arrival at Graceland, Hoff was an assistant coach at Mesa Community College (NJCAA Division I) in Arizona for four seasons. Hoff is originally from Deckerville, Michigan.
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