David Metzendorf joins the Air Force men’s basketball program for the 2020-21 season as an assistant coach, according to a release from Head Coach Joe Scott. Metzendorf comes to the Academy from the University of Michigan.
“David is an outstanding coach,” Air Force head coach Joe Scott said. “He has significant experience coaching and recruiting at strong academic institutions. His energy and passion for the game makes him a great addition to our staff as we work to re-energize Air Force Basketball.”
“Coach Scott has been a mentor in shaping my coaching philosophy,” Metzendorf said. “His enthusiasm and passion are undeniable. Throughout his career he has shown an uncanny ability to bring people together and maximize potential. I’m humbled to join his staff and eager to play a part in building the Air Force program. I look forward to working with world class student-athletes who will represent the Academy and serve our country.”
During his tenure at Michigan, Metzendorf served as the as the video analyst on head coach Juwan Howard’s staff, which won the Battle4Atlantis Championship, matched the largest leap in AP Poll rankings, and secured a top 5 nationally ranked recruiting class in their first year. Metzendorf directed all aspects of U-M’s video program, including opponent scout preparation, player development videos, recruit film evaluations and analytics. Additionally, he supervised a team of 22 student managers as well as other general office duties.
Prior to his arrival at Michigan, Metzendorf spent three years at Holy Cross under former head coach Bill Carmody. After spending his first two seasons as the program’s Director of Basketball Operations, he was elevated to an assistant coach for the 2018-19 season. In addition to his regular coaching duties, he served as the defensive coordinator and was instrumental in recruiting and signing Holy Cross’s 2019 class – one of the highest rated recruiting classes in 30 plus years at Holy Cross. One of those signees, Joe Pridgen, was recognized as an All-Patriot League selection and Rookie of the Year this past season.
Leading Holy Cross’ defensive efforts, the Crusaders finished among the top two in their conference in both turnovers forced and scoring defense in the 2018-19 season. Additionally, he coached Jehyve Floyd to earn back-to-back All-Patriot League accolades as well as his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award. Floyd went on to set the conference record for career field goal percentage and Holy Cross’ single season blocked shots record.
Before Metzendorf’s tenure at Holy Cross, he spent three years on the staff with Cornell University (2014-16). After serving a year as a special assistant to the head coach, he served as an assistant coach for the Big Red for his final two seasons and was instrumental in the school’s recruiting efforts.
During the 2015-2016 season, Metzendorf coached Cornell’s backcourt, which included two of the Ivy League’s top three scorers in Matt Morgan (18.9 points per game) and Robert Hatter (17.1 points per game). Morgan finished his first season breaking the Ivy League single-season record for points scored by a freshman and earning All-Ivy League honors.
In 2014-15, as one of the youngest Division I assistant coaches in the nation, Metzendorf helped Cornell to an 11-game improvement, the biggest turnaround in the program’s history. He aided in the development of All-Ivy League selection Shonn Miller (the 13th overall selection in the NBA G League draft) and Devin Cherry (who went on to play professionally in Denmark).
Following his graduation from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in 2009, Metzendorf spent three summers (2010-12) interning and working summer camps with the University of Michigan basketball program under former head coach John Beilein. In addition, Metzendorf spent several summers working and coaching with the Hoop Group Elite Basketball Camps.
Metzendorf earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management from Ithaca College in 2013, where he received the Dean’s Award and Professional Excellence Award. During his time as an undergraduate, he served as a student manager at Cornell for one year and as a student assistant for two seasons. He received his master’s degree in education from Virginia Commonwealth in 2015.
Metzendorf joins Air Force basketball staff
Photo Courtesy Air Force Athletics
