SIUE men’s basketball Head Coach Brian Barone continues to add to his coaching staff, announcing the addition of veteran Assistant Coach Angres Thorpe.
Thorpe comes to SIUE following a four-year stint on the staff at Buffalo, where he spent the 2022-23 season as the Associate Head Coach. The Bulls compiled a 70-49 record with Thorpe on staff.
“I am thrilled to add AT to our staff,” Barone said. “I have known him for nearly twenty years and have witnessed the impact he has had on the programs he’s been a part of. He brings an infinite level of experience in all areas of our program. When you get the chance to hire a person with his credentials, you do so. I appreciate Andrew Gavin’s role in helping impact my staff in such a positive way.”
The 2022-23 season included 19 wins, while three Bulls were named to All-Mid-American Conference teams including Jeenathan Williams who was a First Team All-MAC honoree.
“I am truly honored and beyond excited to join the SIUE family,” Thorpe said. “Over my coaching career, I’ve been blessed to work with some of the best basketball minds in the business and even better human beings. I’m very happy that I get to continue that streak with Coach Barone and the Cougar basketball staff. I have known Coach Barone for a long time and not only is he a great basketball coach and leader, but he also is an even better person. I’m ecstatic to be a part of this team, the SIUE family and the Edwardsville community. “
In the 2020-21 season, Thorpe helped the Bulls to a 16-9 record in a COVID-19 shortened season. The Bulls earned a trip to the MAC Championship game and an appearance in the NIT, just the second in school history. Three UB players earned second-team All-MAC honors.
In 2019-20, his first season with the Bulls, Thorpe helped the Bulls to a 20-12 record, including a win on the road at DePaul in nonconference play. Thorpe was an instrumental part of the Bulls’ game planning and helped sophomore Ronaldo Segu earned MAC Sixth Man of the Year honors, while Davonta Jordan was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Junior Jayvon Graves was named All-MAC First Team under the tutelage of Thorpe.
Prior to joining Buffalo, Thorpe had been the associate head coach at Kansas City since the 2013-14 season. Under Thorpe’s guidance the Roos had their first All-American in Martez Harrison, who was named the 2015 Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
Thorpe also was the associate head coach for two seasons at Toledo, where he recruited two-time first-team All-MAC selection Julius Brown, first-team all-league selection Nathan Booth, and three-time All-MAC honoree Rian Pearson. In his final season at Toledo, he helped the Rockets capture the MAC West Division crown.
Thorpe was at Green Bay for two seasons as the Phoenix posted a pair of 22-win seasons and advanced to postseason play both seasons.
No stranger to the St. Louis area, Thorpe spent six seasons (2002-08) as an assistant at Saint Louis. During his time with SLU, the Billikens averaged 16 wins per season and were one of the top defensive teams in both the Atlantic 10 and Conference USA. Thorpe coached five all-conference players and two all-rookie selections during his tenure.
Thorpe also has Division I experience at Ball State, Division II Lewis and Division III Loras.
A native of Chicago, Thorpe was a two-time All-Catholic League performer at Fenwick High School. He went on to become a four-year letterman at St. Leo College (Fla.), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business management.
“AT has been part of winning programs over his career while working alongside successful coaches,” Barone added. “He will help in all areas of our program and our team will be positively impacted because of him. I look forward to having him contribute to our program’s continued upward growth.”
https://siuecougars.com/news/2023/7/31/mens-basketball-adds-veteran-assistant.aspx
