New Loyola Marymount Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Dunlap announced that John Peterson, Jr., has been hired as an assistant coach for the Lions program. Peterson rejoins Dunlap as the two worked together in building a program that would win a pair of NCAA Division II National Championships.

"He is a tremendous coach and his record over the years speaks for itself," said Dunlap. "We have known each other a long time and I look forward to working together again."

Peterson has been the head coach at Ohlone College since June of 2000 and leavesas the all time leader in wins (300), win percentage (300 – 126, 71%), conference titles (5), winning seasons (14), most wins in a season (28), and 20-win seasons (11).

"I am really excited about this opportunity," said Peterson. "The time was right for me to do something different. It is a great opportunity to get back to the WCC, and more specifically, to work with Mike again. I am so thankful for everything I have been able to accomplish in my current situation, but I am ready and excited for these new challenges."

While at Ohlone, Peterson was five-time Coast Conference North Coach of the Year and his teams participated in the playoffs in 13 of his 14 years (including 2 appearances in the Elite 8), and finished ranked in the top 20 in 13 of his 14 seasons. Most importantly, 93 of his players in the 14 years have moved on to the 4 year level.

"Junior college basketball is entire different animal. You have to do so many different things," said Peterson. "I was fortunate to be at a place that gave me a lot of experience in many different areas of being a coach. I feel that at LMU and with Mike, there won’t be anything we can’t handle."

Prior to Ohlone, he spent three years (1997-00) at NCAA Division II Metro State College in Denver. Metro went 87-15, won a National Championship in 2000, was National Runner-up, and won three league titles. Metro State would win it again in 2002.

He is familiar with the West Coast Conference, working five seasons (1992-97) at the University of San Francisco, working for both Phil Mathews and Jim Brovelli.

In 21years of college coaching, he has been part of 20 winning seasons.

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