Mount St. Mary’s University men’s basketball coach Jamion Christian has announced changes to his coaching staff. Will Holland, Julian Boatner and Graham Bousley are all joining the Mountaineer staff as assistant coaches.
“Our team of assistants has a tremendous hunger, work ethic and knowledge of the game,” said Christian. “My excitement overflows for what they will bring to Mount basketball. Our way of life requires those who are enthusiastic for helping our players improve on a daily basis. This improvement is not just on the flow, but as major influences in all aspects of their development. Each of our assistant coaches provide the Mount with experiences near and far that will continue to contribute to our culture each day. Each comes to our program having worked with great coaches or coaches who I respect a great deal (Tom Crean, Mike Rhoades, Bo Ryan, Rob Krimmel). We want to be a breeding ground for young, talented and eager minds to grow. As they grow and I continue to improve as a coach as well. I believe our future is very bright here at the Mount.”
Holland, a 2010 Mount St. Mary’s graduate, returns to his alma mater after serving as an assistant coach at Saint Francis University the past three seasons, working primarily with the perimeter players. The Red Flash ranked in the top three in the NEC in three-point percentage the past two seasons, while leading the conference in three-point defense. Holland helped guide Malik Harmon to NEC Rookie of the Year honors in 2013-14.
Holland traveled Europe playing one season with the Academica De Coimbra squad in the Liga Portuguesa Basquetebol League from 2010 to 2011. A First Team Starting Five selection in the Poruguese Final Eight Cup, Holland contended on the international level.
Following his action in Portugal, he returned to the United States for a national tour with the renowned Washington Generals. After his brief stunt with the Generals he revisited the LPB to play for the Victoria Sport Clube in the fall of 2012. Succeeding his return trip to Portugal, he ended his professional career with the Nuevo Laredo Turos in Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Holland is a 2010 graduate of Mount St. Mary’s holding a degree in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. He was a team captain his junior and senior seasons, a two-time participant in the Northeast Conference championships and conference semifinals, and led the NEC in 3-point percentage (51%) in 2009-10.
Holland attended Lamar High School in Houston, Texas.
“We have as special a tradition here at the Mount, and Will has been a huge part of that tradition from the day he set foot on this campus some years ago,” said Christian. “We want to be a program that appreciates our tradition and has a great respect for those who walked the same steps that our players do each day. I’ve always been impressed with Will and his ability to improve players either at the high school level or at Saint Francis. One thing you could always count on is that wherever Will was working, that their players would improve year in and year out. That’s what Mount basketball is and that’s how we are going to be relevant in college basketball. Hard work, diligence and complete understanding of the needs of our players.”
Boatner joins the Mount coaching staff after serving the past two seasons as a graduate manager at Indiana University. A Bloomingon, Indiana, native, Boatner played his collegiate basketball at William and Mary.
While at William and Mary, he played in 124 games, fourth most in school history, while averaging 4.9 points. He finished his career ranked sixth in 3-point percentage (.383), seventh in 3-pointers made (161) and 13th in 3-pointers made per game (1.3). A team captain, he was named the winner of the Kraze Award, given to the Tribe player who embodies the traits for former team captain John Kratzer, who received the inaugural United States Basketball Writers Association Most Courageous Athlete award after battling cancer.
A graduate of Bloomington North High School, he was an Indiana All-Star and an All-State selection for the Cougars after averaging 18.1 points as a senior and 21.3 points as a junior. He is the son of Melvin and Nancy Boatner. His brother, Kelvin, played four years for the Naval Academy.
“I love that he played for me at an early stage in my career,” said Christian. “I’ve always been impressed with his knowledge of the game, his unselfishness as a person and his ability to connect with players. His time spent in one of the most elite programs in the country and under one of the guys I respect the most in this business (Tom Crean) makes him a perfect fit for our program. I believe his playing experience and understanding of how to develop players will really impact our guards right away.”
Bousley joins the Mount staff this season after serving as the director of operations at Rice the past two years. Prior to his time at Rice, Bousley was a graduate assistant coach at VCU the previous two seasons, helping lead the Rams to 53 wins and two trips to the NCAA Tournament.
A Los Angeles native, he worked as the head student manager at Wisconsin, graduating with degrees in biomedical engineering and history in 2012. During his four years on campus, the Badgers won 95 games, advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times, and had a pair of Sweet Sixteen appearances.
“Coach Shaka Smart connected Graham and I together three years ago at the final four,” said Christian. “Graham has an outstanding offensive mind and feel for the game. His college experience both as an undergrad and a grad positioned him with two elite coaches (Bo Ryan and Smart). I love those who can bring different ways of thought to our basketball program. For us to continue to improve, we must constantly be evaluating what is working through all forms of basketball and Graham will do an excellent job in this area. He also spent time with my good friend Mike Rhoades, who has known me since I was 16 years and who I see has basketball knowledge being second to none.”
http://mountathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/releases/20160718f8pz2f
