Southern Illinois men’s basketball head coach Bryan Mullins announced his staff on Wednesday, adding assistant coaches Pat Monaghan and Jevon Mamon, director of operations Ken Moses, and director of player development Connor Wheeler. They join assistant coach Brendan Mullins, who was announced on April 1.
“I looked at hiring a staff like recruiting for players,” Bryan Mullins
explained. “It has to be a great fit for me. I wanted guys with a
strong work ethic, who would work until we got it right, guys that were
loyal and trustworthy and would put the program ahead of themselves. Not
having egos and everyone working together is a huge priority for me.”
Monaghan, 34, is an 11-year coaching veteran who spent the last two
seasons on the staff at UW Milwaukee of the Horizon League. The Panthers
were among just a handful of teams to beat nationally ranked Loyola in
2017-18, topping the eventual Final Four-bound Ramblers by 17 points in
non-conference play.
“Pat is one of the hardest working coaches in the profession,” said
Mullins. “I have not met anyone who doesn’t greatly respect him in
college or high school basketball. Pat has no ego, he’s not entitled and
he will have great relationships with our guys.”
Prior to UWM, Monaghan was an assistant for six seasons at Division II
powerhouse Minnesota State (2011-17), where he helped the Mavericks to
four NCAA Tournament appearances and a pair of Northern Sun
Intercollegiate Conference titles. A native of Chicago, Monaghan served
as the director of basketball operations at Loyola (2010-11) and two
years as an assistant at Coffeyville Community College (2008-10). He
played collegiately at Division II Lewis University.
“He has formed tremendous recruiting relationships with junior colleges
across the country as well as strong Midwest ties to high school and
grassroots programs,” Mullins explained. “His extensive knowledge of the
game and passion to teach will help our program tremendously.”
Mamon (pronounced MAY-mun) worked the last two seasons with Mullins on
Porter Moser’s staff at Loyola, where he was director of operations.
Loyola won a school-record 32 games in 2017-18, claimed Missouri Valley
Conference regular season and tournament titles, and made the team’s
first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1985. The Ramblers rolled
through March, reaching the Final Four and finishing the season ranked
No. 7 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jevon to our Saluki Basketball family,”
Mullins said. “He was a huge part of our Final Four run and back-to-back
MVC Championships at Loyola Chicago. He will help me establish the type
of culture we want in this program right away. His daily energy in the
office and on the court is contagious.”
Prior to Loyola, Mamon was the varsity head coach at Hyde Park Academy
(2016-17) in Chicago and Richards High School (2014-16), where he
piloted the varsity team to a South Suburban Conference Red Division
championship in 2016. Mamon was captain of the basketball team at Barat
College and earned his master’s degree from North Park University.
“Being a coach at the high school and grassroots level has allowed him
to build great relationships across the country,” added Mullins. “He is
an extremely humble, hard-working coach who will establish meaningful
relationships with our young men on and off the court.”
Moses, 30, joins the Salukis after working two years at NJCAA Division I
Missouri State University West Plains (2017-19). The Grizzlies were
45-21 the last two seasons and won the 2018 Region XVI Championship.
“We could not be more excited to have Ken join our program,” Mullins
said. “He is someone who, over the years, I have grown to completely
trust and value in this profession. He understands why programs are
successful and how to help build a culture.”
A native of Honolulu, Moses previously served four years as a graduate
assistant and assistant coach at NJCAA Division II Nebraska-Kearney
(2013-17) and three years as an assistant coach at his alma mater,
Colorado State University in Pueblo (2010-13). He was a four-year letter
winner at CSU-Pueblo and a team captain during the 2009-10 season.
“Ken’s strong work ethic and ability to connect with young men from all
different backgrounds makes him a great asset to me, our staff and our
student-athletes,” Mullins continued.
Wheeler, a 26-year-old Carbondale native, worked as the video coordinator at Southern Miss last season and helped the Golden Eagles to a 20-win season in 2018-19. Previously, he served as the video coordinator and graduate assistant at Missouri (2016-18).
“We are extremely lucky to have Connor join our program,” Mullins said. “I have known Connor and his family since I was a player here and always knew he would be a tremendous coach. He comes highly recommended from Kim Anderson, Cuonzo Martin and Doc Sadler.”
A standout at Carbondale and Du Quoin High School, Wheeler played his final two years in college at SIUE. He also played one season for Saluki alum Kyle Smithpeters at John A. Logan, and returned to JALC as a volunteer assistant after graduating.
“At a young age he already possesses the traits that make a great coach,” Mullins added. “He is a tireless worker, selfless, has a great feel for the game, and truly cares about the student-athletes on the court, in the classroom and in the community.”
https://siusalukis.com/news/2019/4/17/bryan-mullins-announces-mens-basketball-staff.aspx
