Southern Utah University head coach Todd Simon is excited to announce the addition of Chris Pompey to the Thunderbird basketball coaching staff.
“We are excited to add Coach Pompey to the program. He is nationally respected and has been a part of great success throughout his career,” Simon said. “Coach Pompey’s ability to mentor and have strong relationships with players will make him an integral part of the Thunderbird program.”
Pompey joins the Thunderbird family with 17 years of collegiate coaching experience, most recently spending four seasons with the Cal State Northridge Matadors. Last season, Pompey was rated the 5th best low to mid major assistant coach by Basketball Times. In is first year at Northridge, he helped compile a top 40 recruiting class.
Prior to CSUN, Pompey spent three seasons at Seton Hall University. During the 2011-12 season, Seton Hall was the #1 seed in the NIT Tournament with a 21-win season. Before Seton Hall, Pompey assisted at New Mexico State where he spent four seasons with the Aggies and helped revive the program and win three championships in four years under two different head coaches.
Pompey began his collegiate coaching career at the University of Hartford in 2000 where he helped the Hawks become one of the premier teams in the America East Conference. Hartford reached the semifinals of the America East Conference Championships three seasons in a row during Pompey’s time with the Hawks.
Following Hartford, Pompey was named an assistant coach at Hampton University in Virginia. In less than a month, he helped bring in a top 50 recruiting class.
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Pompey spent eight years as the founder, director and head coach of the DC Stars AAU basketball program in Washington, D.C. Under his leadership, the DC Stars became recognized as one of the premier AAU programs in the country.
Pompey earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1984 where he was a member of the Panthers football team (running back/wide receiver). He played with teammates and future Hall of Famers Dan Marino, Ricky Jackson, Russ Grimm, and Chris Doleman. Pompey went on to earn a master’s degree in Sports Management from California University of PA.
