After five seasons in various assistant roles with the University of Pikeville men’s basketball team, Tigh Compton has been promoted to Associate Head Coach entering the 2014-15 season, UPIKE head coach Kelly Wells announced on Monday.

In addition to Compton’s promotion, Wells also announced the hiring of Donald Thomas as an Assistant Coach and Bradlee Yoder as a Graduate Assistant.

"I am extremely pleased with our staff," said Wells. Tigh, Donald and Bradlee are not only great coaches, but they are also great people. They are all Pikeville graduates and will continue to do a great job representing our university and community. We look forward to continuing the success we’ve experienced in our program over the last several seasons."

Compton began his time with the Bears in 2009 as a student assistant before continuing on a part-time basis the next season and eventually taking a graduate assistant spot in 2011. Starting with the 2012-13 campaign, Compton took a full-time role on the staff and will now be the Associate Head Coach on the sidelines heading into his sixth season.

In his time with UPIKE, Compton has helped it to a 125-38 overall record and has been with the team for a national title in 2011, as well as a Mid-South Conference Regular-Season and Tournament Championship in 2014.

A graduate of UPIKE, Compton prepped at Grundy High School in Grundy, Va., where he was a four-year varsity starter.

"I am extremely thankful for the opportunities Coach Wells and the University of Pikeville continue to provide," said Compton."Pikeville is a great place to live and work and I look forward to being able to help continue bringing success to UPIKE."

Thomas, another graduate of then Pikeville College, is returning to the program after last serving as an assistant coach under Wells during the championship-winning 2010-11 season. Thomas had been a student assistant with the Bears in 2007-08.

As a senior at Pikeville in 2006-07, Thomas started 29 games for the Bears, averaging 10 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Since leaving the program three years ago, Thomas was an assistant at Pfeiffer (N.C.) for one season and an assistant at North Carolina Central for two seasons.

"I’m extremely happy to be back in Pikeville," said Thomas. "It’s good to be around such positive people. Hopefully I can make a positive impact on someone the way Coach Wells has for me."

Yoder is staying with the Bears after serving as a student assistant last season. The UPIKE graduate helped the team win a record 31 games and advance to the NAIA National Tournament. Yoder’s roles included scouting, breaking down video and assisting with recruiting.

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