The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Figger announced on Tuesday the hiring of assistant coach Dean Cooper, who has been working with NBA organizations since 1999, including the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls. Cooper has coached some of the best offenses and defenses in the NBA. During
OFFICIAL: Forte joins UTRGV MBB staff
Following up on something that I mentioned earlier in today’s DAILY DIRT. UTRGV has officially announced the hiring of Phil Forte. Here’s the release: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Figger announced on Monday the hiring of assistant coach Phil Forte, who was an assistant coach with future Western Athletic Conference opponent
UTRGV names Cronn Coordinator of Basketball Operations
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Figger announced on Tuesday the hiring of Joe Cronn as the coordinator of basketball operations and men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach. Cronn worked with Figger at Austin Peay the last four seasons as the men’s basketball team’s director of strength & conditioning and also assumed the role of
UTRGV names Johnson Assistant Basketball Coach
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Figger announced on Monday the hiring of assistant coach Nikita Johnson, who worked with Figger at Austin Peay the last two seasons. Over the last two years, Johnson helped Austin Peay to 35-25 (.583) record, including a 21-win season in 2019-20. “Nikita and I have a 30-year relationship
Jans inks 6-yr extension at New Mexico State
Chris Jans is staying in the city of Las Cruces. In an announcement made Wednesday afternoon by NM State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, Jans, the head coach of NM State’s men’s basketball team, agreed to a six-year contract extension which will keep the Fairbank, Iowa, native installed as the Aggies’ bench boss through April
OFFICIAL: Figger tabbed Head Basketball Coach at UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque announced on Monday the hiring of 2017-18 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Coach of the Year Matt Figger, who had been the head coach at Austin Peay for the last four seasons, as the new men’s basketball head coach. Figger will be formally introduced to
Lew Hill earns WAC Coach of the Year Award
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) men’s basketball team learned on Tuesday that Coach Lew Hill, who passed away tragically on Feb. 7 at the age of 55, is the unanimous choice for Don Haskins Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Coach of the Year. Before his passing, Hill coached the Vaqueros to an 8-4 record,
UTRGV names Steadman Interim Head Basketball Coach
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Thursday that Jai Steadman, who has been an assistant coach with the men’s basketball program since 2014, will serve as Interim head coach for the remainder of the season follow the tragic passing of head coach Lew Hill on Sunday. Steadman was ranked tied for the No.
Former Texas A&M standout joins Tarleton MBB staff
Tarleton men’s basketball head coach Billy Gillispie has announced the addition of Joseph Jones as an assistant coach for the rest of the 2020-21 season. Jones, a professional basketball player for the last 13 years and currently signed in Puerto Rico, comes to Tarleton as one of Gillispie’s former standout players at Texas A&M where he
Chicago State suspends Men’s Basketball for remainder of 2020-21 season
The Chicago State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today that it is suspending all men’s basketball competition-related activities for the 2020-21 season to focus on the health, safety, and academic pursuits of the Men’s Basketball student-athletes. The remaining 14 programs, including Women’s Basketball, will continue with their regular schedule and competitions. “It was a difficult
OFFICIAL: Shields resigns from coaching position at Tarleton State
Following up on a report from HoopDirt.com earlier today. Steve Shields resignation as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Tarleton State has now been made official. Here is the official statement from the school: Tarleton Men’s Basketball assistant coach Steve Shields has resigned from his position. He has accepted a position to become the North
WAC DIRT: Shield departs Tarleton Staff
Tarleton State assistant coach Steve Shields has departed the men’s basketball staff. The coaching veteran was in his first season at with Billy Gillispie at Tarleton. Shields, who was the head coach at the University of Arkansas Little Rock from 2003-15, will be returning to the area as he will become the Parks and Recreation
