Siena Heights University men’s basketball coach Joe Pechota has

announced the hiring of Aaron Kleersnyder as assistant coach and Jim

Barker as recruiting coordinator for the men’s basketball program.

Kleersnyder comes to the Saints after spending the past two seasons as

the Men’s Basketball Program Assistant at the University of Toledo.

Prior to his time with the Rockets, Kleersnyder served in various

coaching capacities with the Grand Rapids Storm. The storm is a

prominent AAU program in the state of Michigan.

Jim Barker has joined Pechota’s coaching staff as recruiting

coordinator for the Saints. In his 32-year high school coaching

career, Barker is one of the few Michigan coaches who have earned more

than 500 wins from the same high school, Henry Ford II. He is a

lifetime member of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, is

a member of the organization’s Hall of Fame and has been inducted into

the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame. Barker

was multiple coach of the year honors from various print organizations

as well as being named Macomb County Coach of the Year five times by

his peers.

Dan Yatzek will remain on staff as he enters his fifth season as an

assistant at the university and his first with Pechota as head coach.

Yatzek is a former Saints standout and will continue to make a great

impact on the program in the areas of player development and

recruiting. He will also continue to serve as the program’s junior

varsity coach.

Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.