Story: Kyle Edmond, BGSU Athletics

Bowling Green State University head men’s basketball coach Todd Simon announced the hiring of Jason Newkirk, Aleks Abrams and Dillon MacRitchie to his staff at BGSU. Newkirk will serve as an assistant coach, Abrams will be the special assistant to the head coach and MacRitchie will be the director of basketball operations. Newkirk joins the Falcons after six years at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, most recently serving as the Director of Recruiting. Abrams comes to Bowling Green after serving as a Video and Player Development Coaching Associate with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2023-24 season. MacRitchie remains on staff after spending the last two seasons as a Graduate Manager with the Falcons and seasons prior as a student manager. 

“Coach Newkirk is an energetic and positive presence that is a great fit for our culture,” said Simon. “His commitment to player development and recruiting are fits for our program. He is an excellent up-and-coming coach that will have an impact on our players.

Coach Abrams brings outstanding experience at the highest level of basketball with the Los Angeles Lakers. His perspectives and eye for the game will be an asset for us. In addition, his work ethic and creativity will help us advance our program.

Dillon is a true Falcon and established himself as a tireless worker from the day he stepped on campus. With both a bachelor’s and master’s from Bowling Green and five years with the program, he knows BGSU basketball from the inside and out. Dillon is extremely intelligent and has taken all tasks we’ve put ahead of him. He will continue to be an important pillar of the program.”

Jason Newkirk
During his six seasons at Milwaukee, Newkirk helped build the Panthers up to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24, the program’s first time with consecutive 20-win seasons since the Bruce Pearl Era. The seasons were highlighted by semifinal and final appearances, respectively, in the Horizon League Championship. While with Milwaukee, Newkirk was instrumental in the recruitment of Moses Bol, the cousin of Manute Bol and Bol Bol, as well as Vin Baker Jr. who played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023 and 2024 NBA Summer League. Newkirk was highly praised for his contributions to player development, particularly in mentoring two-time All-Horizon League selection BJ Freeman and the second-leading scorer for the Panthers last season Erik Pratt. 

“I am incredibly grateful to join the exceptional program that Todd Simon has built,” said Newkirk. “His reputation for winning and developing the character of student-athletes is truly remarkable. I am excited to contribute to this tradition, work closely with our talented players and dedicated staff, and compete for the MAC title. This is a tremendous opportunity, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got. Ay Ziggy Zoomba!”

Prior to Milwaukee, Newkirk served one season as an assistant coach at Colby Community College in the NJCAA, coaching the Trojans to a 20-12 season and a quarterfinals appearance in the NJCAA Region VI Tournament. He also spent two seasons as the head coach and director of operations at Standard of Excellence Post Graduate Academy in Charlotte, N.C.

Newkirk has gained valuable experience in the AAU circuit, spending 10 with the Chicago-based Full Package Athletics program. He played two seasons of collegiate basketball at Oakton Community College before transferring to Olivet Nazarene University.

Aleks Abrams
Abrams will join the Orange and Brown after spending the 2023-24 season with the Los Angeles Lakers as a Video and Player Development Coaching Associate. Prior to working with the Lakers, Abrams spent a season as an assistant coach at Warner Pacific University in Portland. At Warner Pacific, Abrams worked on scouting reports, practice plans, recruiting and other tasks as well. 

“I am very excited about this opportunity,” said Abrams. “I can’t wait to join the Falcon program and be a part of this historical program. Look forward to seeing everyone at the Stroh!”

Abrams first stop in Portland was with the University of Portland as the Director of Basketball Operations during the 2021-22 campaign. His coaching career began at Santa Clara University as a Graduate Assistant for two seasons from 2019 until 2021. 

As a player, Abrams spent time in the MAC, playing the 2018-19 season with the Miami (OH) RedHawks. He appeared in 31 games with two starts and led the RedHawks in blocks with 20. Abrams’ collegiate career began at Cal Poly, playing in 88 games with 18 starts. As a junior, he finished third on the team with 4.2 rebounds per game, including a career-high 16 at California. A native of Westlake Village, California, Abrams was a three-year letterwinner for Oaks Christian High School. 

Dillon MacRitchie
A native of Brighton, Mich., MacRitchie takes on his new role with the Falcons having spent the previous two seasons as a Graduate Manager for the Orange and Brown. In the role, MacRitchie aided in orchestrating one of the quickest turnarounds in program history. In the staff’s first season, the Falcons tallied 20 wins for just the 10th time in the program’s MAC era. 

Before being a Graduate Manager for the team, MacRitchie was a student manager with the Falcons, beginning in 2019, including serving as the head student manager. This will be his sixth year with the program. He’s also a two-time BGSU graduate, receiving his bachelor’s in 2022 and his master’s in 2024. 

“I am excited and thankful for my new position with the Falcons opportunity provided by Coach Simon,” said MacRitchie. “I am excited to continue my career here at BGSU. Go Falcons!”