The Mount St. Mary’s men’s basketball team has made a pair of changes to its coaching staff for the upcoming year. Director of Basketball Operations Matt Graves earns a promotion to assistant coach, and Jeremy Freeman has been hired for the open operations position.
“I am thrilled to announce the changes to our coaching staff,” said Head Coach Dan Engelstad. “Coach Graves is an absolute rising star in this profession. It was an easy move and transition, but more importantly, well deserved. Coach Freeman brings to the Mount tremendous experience, passion and drive.”
Graves is entering his second on the Mount’s coaching staff, and his eighth season as a collegiate coach. In his first season in Emmitsburg, he served as Director of Basketball Operations, assisting Coach Engelstad in all elements that make the program tick. This included assisting in scheduling, coordinating travel and practice schedules and editing scouting reports, to name a few.
“This past season, [Matt] embraced the challenge of the role.” Engelstad said. “He absolutely loves to be in the gym with our guys and this move will allow Matt to be on the court coaching. Matt has been part of building programs and was one of the top recruiters on staff to help build Belmont Abbey into a national contender.”
As an assistant coach, Graves will transition to more direct coaching of student-athletes along with an increased role in recruiting.
Being an assistant coach is not foreign to Graves. His first six years in collegiate coaching came at the Division II and III levels. His first job was right down the road at McDaniel, working on Kevin Curley’s staff for a season. The Green Terror went 18-10 for the 2013-14 campaign, advancing to the semifinals in both the Centennial Conference and ECAC Southeast Tournaments.
“I am thankful to Coach Engelstad for giving me the opportunity to be an assistant coach for the Mount basketball program.” Graves said. “I am very excited to get on the court and continue to get our guys better, while also being able to recruit young men for our growing community. Time to get to work! Go Mount!”
Taking over for Graves is Freeman, who is entering his second intercollegiate coaching stint. The Baltimore native previously served as the Director of Operations at Holy Cross
.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the staff here at the Mount.” Freeman said. “I can’t thank Coach Engelstad enough for believing in me and trusting me to help this program continue its upward trajectory. I’m originally from Baltimore and have always admired the program here at Mount St. Mary’s. I’m excited and ready to help our guys reach their goals.”
A 2015 graduate of Cornell with a degree in applied economics and management, Freeman returned home to Charm City for a three-year tenure as head coach for Mother Seton Academy.
He worked for the Crusaders in 2018-19 before serving in his most recent role at Director of Recruiting for the Hoop Group, one of the nation’s leader in providing camps and showcases for prospective athletes. Founded in 1963, the Hoop Group boasts over a million alumni.
Engelstad said of his new team member, “Problem solving and organization are vital to the [Director of Basketball Operations] role. Jeremy will thrive as he is smart, very detailed, and a relentless worker. He is an elite young man who will only continue to push our program to new heights. Coach Freeman is already having a positive impact on our program. Welcome to the Mount!”
While in Ithaca, Freeman served as a manager for the Big Red basketball team, which was then led by head coach Bill Courtney.
Graves will take the place of Xavier Joyner on the staff, who departs the program after two years. Along with Engelstad, who is returning for his third season, the team retains Associate Head Coach Will Holland, in his fifth year, and Assistant Coach Matt Miller, also in his third year.
Mount St. Mary’s Basketball Staff Update
