Lenoir-Rhyne University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ryan Odom has announced his staff for the 2015-16 season.
Nate Dixon has been named Associate Head Coach, Bryce Crawford takes over as Assistant Coach and Blake Simmons has been chosen as the team’s Graduate Assistant.
“I’m extremely excited about our staff at Lenoir-Rhyne,” said Odom. “It’s a great mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm. I’m confident our players will benefit. The staff will be great mentors and coaches for our players and represent the school in a positive manner.”
Dixon comes to Lenoir-Rhyne after four years as the Men’s Basketball Technology and Scouting Assistant for Charlotte (2011-15).
Dixon’s previous coaching stints at NCAA Division I schools included stops at Wyoming (2010-11), Louisiana-Lafayette (2009-10), New Orleans (2007-09), Louisiana-Monroe (2005-07), Florida (2003-05) and Stetson (2001-03).
Some of Dixon’s highlights as an assistant included a Sun Belt West Division Championship (2006-07) with Louisiana-Monroe and the 2005 SEC Tournament Championship with Florida. In addition, Dixon was part of a Gators’ team which included NBA players such as David Lee, Corey Brewer, Al Horford and Joakim Noah.
Dixon was also an Assistant Coach at Belmont Abbey (1997-98) and Queens (1998-00) and guided the Royals to appearances in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight and Sweet 16 in back-to-back seasons in 1999 and 2000, respectively.
Dixon, a 1994 graduate of UNC Wilmington, played one year at LaGrange (Ga.) and two seasons at Gardner-Webb University.
Crawford comes to Lenoir-Rhyne after spending the past two years as Assistant Video Coordinator and Technical Assistant at the University of Texas (2013-15). Crawford was part of a Longhorns squad which earned consecutive berths to the NCAA Division I Tournament.
Crawford was also a graduate manager at Charlotte (2011-13), where he earned his Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Crawford earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio State in 2011 as well and spent four years as the Buckeyes’ student manager when Evan Turner was named the National Player Of The Year (2010).
Simmons has been the head student assistant coach for the 49ers staff the past four years (2011-15) and earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Charlotte.
Odom became the 18th Head Men’s Basketball Coach in Lenoir-Rhyne history with his hiring on Tuesday, May 19, 201
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Photo Courtesy Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics
