New Orleans head men’s basketball coach Mark Slessinger named J.A. Anglin director of basketball operations. Anglin joins the Privateers after one-plus seasons at LSU-Shreveport, most recently as associate head coach.
Anglin coordinated team travel, scouted opponents, assisted with scheduling of future opponents and was pivotal in recruiting visits.
A Shreveport native, Anglin spent two seasons playing for Northwestern State, where Slessinger was an assistant coach, and went on to finish his student-athlete career at LSUS.
“John Anthony has had success at every stop of his collegiate career,” said Slessinger. “I was very lucky to see him in high school and coach him at Northwestern State as a part of the best team in school history. He has a tremendous basketball IQ and work ethic. As a player and coach, he has always been able to connect with others through his genuine personality. It has been a great joy to watch him progress and develop as a coach, mentor, and professional. You always hope that you get the opportunity to see your former student-athletes live their dreams and follow their passions. John Anthony was blessed to work with one the best coaches in college basketball and a coach that I have admired since I was a young man in Tim Floyd at UTEP during his two tenures there with him. Our staff and family are so happy to welcome John Anthony and Susan to the Lakefront.”
The Pilots went 23-11 in Anglin’s first season with a win in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament. At LSUS, he worked primarily with the post players, including NAIA National Player of the Year Jeff Garrett.
Anglin began his coaching career in 2011 at the University of Texas El Paso as the assistant director of basketball operations and video coordinator. He moved on to the University of Louisiana Monroe from 2013-16 before returning to UTEP as an assistant coach for two seasons. The coach at UTEP? None other than former New Orleans leader Tim Floyd.
In 2016-17, the Miners won 13 of their final 17 games, achieving one of the biggest in-season turnarounds in Division I. UTEP tied for third place in C-USA that season.
Prior to re-joining the Miners, Anglin spent three years at ULM, assisting the Warhawks to 44 victories in the final two campaigns. Early in 2016, Anglin became one of 30 assistant coaches in the nation on the Under Armour 30-Under-30 Team. The team is composed of the nation’s brightest assistant coaches under the age of 30.
The Warhawks advanced to the championship of the CBI in 2015, followed by a CIT big in 2016.
The 2015-16 squad was undefeated at home (13-0) and finished 15-5 in the Sun Belt, moving to the championship game of the league tournament for the first time in school history. Junior Nick Coppola set a school record with 409 assists, while Majok Deng and Justin Roberson garnered first and second team All-Conference honors respectively. Roberson was chosen the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year.
Three Warhawks garnered All-Conference honors over Anglin’s three seasons, including Tylor Ongwae in 2014 and 2015. Overseeing academics, 15 seniors graduated from 2013-16, men’s basketball achieved three perfect 1000 APR scores and earned three consecutive Sun Belt Team Academic Awards.
Prior to his time with the Warhawks, he spent two seasons in his first stint at UTEP. In year No. 2, UTEP won 18 games en route to a semifinals appearance in the C-USA Tournament.
Anglin received his bachelor’s degree in history from LSU-Shreveport in 2010 and masters of exercise ccience from the ULM in 2016. He is married to the former Susan Swearingen of Shreveport, La. and the couple is expecting their first child later in 2019.
J.A. Anglin Named New Orleans Director of MBB Operations
