Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball coach Tommy DeSalme has announced a pair of changes to his staff – one promotion and one new hiring – effective for the 2023-24 season.

DeSalme has promoted assistant coach Eric Nitche to Associate Head Coach and announced the hiring of Kyle Pugh as an assistant coach.

Nitche will begin his third season with the Blue Dragons in 2023-24. He has been an assistant with DeSalme for nine seasons, the first seven while at Cowley College in Arkansas City. The Blue Dragons have gone 46-21 in the past two seasons with one NJCAA Tournament appearance.

“This promotion is well deserved,” DeSalme said of his long-time assistant. “I believe Eric is one of the best coaches in the country and he is a great representative of Hutch CC.”

Pugh joins the Blue Dragon staff this season after spending the last two years at Cloud County Community College as an assistant.

Originally from Champaign, Illinois, Pugh has coaching experience at Cloud County, Jacksonville University and the University of Illinois under coaches John Groce and Brad Underwood. Pugh started as a student coach at Parkland College, an NJCAA Division II school in Champaign, Illinois.

“We are so excited to add Kyle to our staff,” DeSalme said. “He comes with great experience for a young coach. He knows the Jayhawk Conference and has an incredible work ethic. He will be an addition not just to our team, but to the college and community.”

The Blue Dragon men’s basketball team will open the 2023-24 season with the Blue Dragon Classic on November 3 and 4 at the Sports Arena.

https://www.bluedragonsports.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/releases/20230707gzzdze