Monroe College Mustangs men’s basketball head coach Jeffrey Brustad has announced the hiring of Luis Guzman as assistant men’s basketball coach. Guzman most recently served as Director of Player Development at NCAA Div. I Rider University under head coach Kevin Baggett.
“I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity,” said Guzman. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be named assistant coach for Monroe College, a program with a rich winning tradition. Monroe has given me such a warm welcome.”
Guzman has a diverse range of experience in the basketball world. While spending the past year at Rider, Guzman also earned the opportunity to serve as an assistant coach for the Dominican Republic National Team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier Games. As of Oct. 2018, the Dominican Republic team is 5-3 through eight games. The two-round qualifying tournament is set to conclude in Feb. 2019.
“I’ve spent many years playing and working under great basketball minds,” said Guzman. “I’m eager to work with this team, not only to coach these hard-working players, but learn from them as well.”
During his year at Rider, the Broncs went 22-10 overall and 15-3 in conference play, claiming the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Regular Season Title. The Broncs were upset in the first round of the MAAC Tournament by Saint Peter’s University, but still earned a bid into the 2018 NIT Tournament. Coach Brustad expressed his excitement to have Guzman join his staff.
“We’re very excited to have Luis on board with us,” said Brustad. “He’s a young man who played at a high level at Temple University and brings a vast array of knowledge on playing at the next level, which I think will benefit our young student-athletes here at Monroe. His resume and his track record are going to provide many positive attributes to the program.”
Guzman also spent the past year working directly with the NBA and WNBA in the Game Operations Center. In his role, Guzman supervised and supported the game operations center staff, while auditing basketball statistics and operations violations. He ensured all technologies and programs were operational and working throughout the night. Guzman was also responsible for reviewing basketball plays and violations, and communicating with team officials when necessary. He drafted and sent out nightly reports of violations and technology issues that occurred throughout the night.
After finishing up at Temple, Guzman served as an assistant coach for the Dominican Republic U17 team at the 2017 Centrobasket Championship. The Dominican Republic team went on to claim the gold medal at the 2017 tournament.
Guzman was a four-year letterwinner at NCAA Div. I Temple University, graduating in just 3.5 years in 2010. He returned to his alma mater in 2015-16 to work with the team while also pursuing his master’s degree, gaining more experience in coaching and team management in the process. In 2015-16, Guzman also served as assistant coach/assistant operations manager for the Playaz Basketball Club, the elite AAU program in the country.
Prior to returning to Temple, Guzman played professionally in eight different countries over a five-year span. He won championships while competing in the Dominican Republic, Denmark, Mongolia and Mexico. Guzman also represented the Dominican Republic at the Pan American Games in 2011, and was a member of the silver-medal winning U17 team at the 2005 Centrobasket Tournament.
Guzman was Basketball Hall of Famer John Chaney’s last recruit at Temple. Guzman led the Owls to three Atlantic-10 Championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure, serving as team captain as a senior. Guzman was the starting point guard for the No. 12-ranked team in the nation in 2009-10, when the Owls went 29-6, winning the Atlantic-10 Conference Regular Season Title at 14-2. They went on to capture the A10 Conference Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament. During his time at Temple, Guzman received the Anthony Cimino Award for excellence in athletics and academics at Temple University.
Guzman has also served as the founder and tournament coordinator for the Washington Heights Invitational, along with his father, Carlos Guzman. The Washington Heights Invitational Summer Basketball Tournament is powered by Jaybie’s Sports Academy, a 501©3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing recreational activity for New York City youth. Its objective is to offer our community youth the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game, teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-confidence.
“I am very passionate about mentoring young men and teaching them life skills on and off the court,” said Guzman. “I hope to share my knowledge and experience with the players and staff and contribute to the Mustang legacy. I look forward to a successful season.”
Guzman graduated from Temple in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. He later obtained his master’s degree in sports business from Temple in 2017.
