Longtime college and NBA assistant coach Brendan Suhr has joined the men’s basketball staff at Stetson, head coach Donnie Jones announced today.

Famously an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons during the NBA Champion “Bad Boys” days, Suhr comes to Stetson after last spending two seasons (2015-17) as the associate head coach at LSU, where was instrumental in the development of Ben Simmons, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft by Philadelphia.

At Stetson Suhr reunites with Jones, under whom he served as an assistant coach for three seasons (2012-13) at UCF.

“My relationship with Brendan goes back over 20 years,” Jones said. “I first met him when I was an assistant at Florida, and he’s been a friend and a mentor ever since. I think we’ve spoken every day since the day we met. Brendan is one of the brightest minds in basketball. He has incredible experience. He’ll be a great leader to the coaching staff as well as the program. He’s a great person to have to help us develop our culture here at a very high level. He’s got a lot of respect in the game.

“Brendan wanted to be a part of what we’re building at Stetson, and having him join our staff sends a message all across the country that we can build a winner here, and that we can do it at a very high level.”

With over 45 years of experience in both professional and collegiate coaching, Suhr was anxious to reunite with his longtime friend and return to the sidelines.

“When this opportunity was coming about for Donnie, he offered me the chance to come here,” Suhr said. “There’s nothing better in coaching than if you work with your best friend. The opportunity as my career is winding down to be able to be with my best friend every day is phenomenal. This is going to be a lot of fun. I’m a huge Donnie Jones fan and I want to see him continue his success.”

Suhr, who won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona while serving as an assistant and scout under Chuck Daly for the “Dream Team”, began his coaching career in 1973 as an assistant under Dick Vitale at the University of Detroit. After one season with the Titans, Suhr spent five years on staff at Fairfield (1974-79) before the NBA — and his former high school coach Hubie Brown — beckoned.

His first foray into the NBA came when Brown offered Suhr the opportunity to join the Hawks’ staff. He remained with the Hawks for nine seasons, working alongside legendary coaches such as Brown, Kevin Loughery and Mike Fratello.

Following the 1987-88 season, Suhr joined Daly’s staff in Detroit and was instrumental in helping guide the Pistons to NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990.

After a two-year stint with the New Jersey Nets (1992-94), Suhr spent time as an assistant for the Toronto Raptors and later, the Orlando Magic (1997-99).

Suhr served as VP/Director of Player Personnel for Detroit in 1999-2000 and then was an assistant coach the following season. His final NBA stop was from 2004-07 as Assistant Coach/Director of Player Personnel for the New York Knicks.

For nine seasons, he served as the Vice President of the NBA Coaches Association.

Suhr also has experience in the Continental Basketball Association, serving as president, general manager and head coach of the Grand Rapids Hoops from 1995-97. He also co-owned the franchise for three years. Suhr, who was recognized as the CBA’s Coach of the Year in 1995-96, worked as the league’s executive vice president of basketball operations and industry relations.

Ten years ago, Suhr also founded Coaching U, a coaching, leadership and learning company, that is a technology and live event business that focuses on individual and team development. He also is a consultant to the National Basketball Players Association serving to help current and retired players in the areas of coaching and leadership. Additionally, he authored the book “Chuck Daly Coaching U.”

Suhr is also the founder and president of the speaking and consulting firm Off the Court, Inc., a business that features his skills as a keynote speaker, executive coach, author, and consultant for the last 25 years. The Gallup Organization has certified him as a “Master Strengths Coach”, one of only five people in the world who shares that distinction.

A 1973 graduate of Montclair State and a native of Fair Lawn, N.J., Suhr and his wife, Brenda are the proud parents of a son, B.K., and a daughter, Christina.

https://gohatters.com/news/2019/5/15/coaching-veteran-brendan-suhr-joins-mens-basketball-staff.aspx