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University of Rio Grande men’s basketball head coach Ken French has announced the addition of two assistant coaches to his 2015-16 coaching staff. Phil McKnight, Jr. and Robby Bennett are joining a staff which also includes returnee Aaron Quinn and student assistant Bobby Sizemore and Bryan Stevens.

McKnight comes to the RedStorm after serving as the boys’ basketball head coach at Fisher Catholic High School in his native Lancaster, Ohio for each of the past two seasons. The former Lancaster High School and Salem (WV) International University standout played in three semi-professional leagues following his collegiate career and was the former owner and coach of the Universal Basketball Association’s Lancaster Aftermath. McKnight, who is also the former Director of Basketball at the Lancaster YMCA, was a coach at the Horizon Science Academy from 2006-09. He also coached six years of AAU basketball and has been a personal basketball trainer for 12 years.

Bennett, who will serve as the RedStorm’s junior varsity head coach, comes to Rio Grande after a two-year stint as a graduate assistant coach at West Virginia University-Tech, where the Golden Bears averaged 21 wins per season during his time on the staff. Last season, Tech finished 23-10 and reached the NAIA Division I National Tournament. A native of Bradenton, Fla., Bennett is a graduate of Bradenton Christian High School and West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management. During his athletic career at Bradenton Christian, Bennett was the Florida state champion in the 110-meter hurdles and was the state runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles. He was also the Bay Conference champion in the 110 hurdles, the 300 hurdles and the 200-meter dash in 2009, while winning his second straight Team MVP award in the process.
 Bennett, who also played basketball in high school, began his collegiate career as a track & field athlete at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C.

“We’re happy to have coach McKnight and coach Bennett join our staff,” French said. “I’ve know coach McKnight for a number of years. He’s a guy who knows the game really well and does a good job of passing that knowledge along to younger players. Coach Bennett is a young guy who enjoyed a lot of success in his athletic career as well. He did a nice job for (WVU-Tech) coach (Bob) Williams the past couple of years and brings a lot of energy to the profession.”

http://www.rioredstorm.com/article/2567.php

Photo Courtesy Rio Grande Athletics