2026 Spring NABC Clinic - Atlanta, GA

Bob Starkey, who was on the LSU's Women's Basketball coaching staff during five Final Four appearances, returned to Baton Rouge in April 2022 to serve as the associate head coach on Coach Kim Mulkey's staff. Starkey played a pivotal role in leading the Tigers to their first national championship in 2023, primarily working with the post players and crafting key defensive strategies. With over 30 years of SEC coaching experience, Starkey has coached at LSU, Auburn, and Texas A&M, accumulating 790 career wins and 24 NCAA Tournament appearances. His coaching legacy includes mentoring NBA and WNBA stars such as Shaquille O'Neal, Seimone Augustus, and Sylvia Fowles, and his teams have been consistently among the best defensively in the country.

Coaching Career

LSU Associate Head Coach (2022-present)

• 2025 NCAA Elite Eight
• 2024 NCAA Elite Eight
• 2023 NCAA National Champions

Auburn Assistant Coach (2021-2022)

Texas A&M Assistant Coach (2012-2021)

• 2021 SEC Regular Season Champions
• 2013 SEC Tournament Champions

UCF Assistant Coach (2011-2012)

LSU Associate Head Coach (2007-2011)

• 2008 NCAA Regional - Final Four
• 2008 SEC Regular Season Champions

LSU Interim Head Coach (2007)

• 2007 NCAA Regional - Final Four

LSU Assistant Coach (1998-2007)

• 2006 NCAA Regional - Final Four
• 2006 SEC Regular Season Champions
• 2005 NCAA Regional - Final Four
• 2005 SEC Regular Season Champions
• 2004 NCAA Regional - Final Four
• 2003 SEC Tournament Champions

LSU (Men's) Assistant Coach (1990-1996)

• 1991 SEC Regular Season Champions

Marshall Assistant Coach (1988-1989)

West Virginia State (Men's) Assistant Coach (1984-1987)

• 1987 NAIA National Runner-Up

Awards

• 2025 Honored for 25 Years of Service at LSU
• 2020 A Step Up Assistant Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame

Coaching Career

Freed-Hardeman University Head Coach (2019-present)

• 2x NAIA National Champions (2024, 2026)
• 4x Mid-South Conference Tournament Champions (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
• Mid-South Conference Regular Season Champions (2026)
• Mid-South Conference Regular Season Co-Champions (2024)

Chester County High School Head Coach (2018-2019)

Freed-Hardeman University Assistant Coach (2017-2018)

Hewitt Trussville High School JV Head Coach / Varsity Assistant Coach (2014-2017)

Corner High School Athletic Director / Head Coach (2011-2014)

Mars Hill Bible School Assistant Coach (2007-2011)

Awards

• NAIA Coach of the Year (2026)
• Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year (2026)
• NAIA National Coach of the Year (2024)
• TSWA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year (2024)

In March 2025, Darris Nichols became the head men's basketball coach at La Salle after four years at Radford. While at Radford, the Highlanders became a Big South contender, earning a postseason berth in the 2022-23 CBI and winning the 2024 Sunshine Slam. In his final season at Radford, he led the program to a 20-13 record, marking his second 20-win campaign in four years. Prior to Radford, Nichols spent six seasons as an assistant at Florida, helping the Gators reach four NCAA Tournaments, including the Elite Eight in 2017. He has also coached at Louisiana Tech, Wofford, and Northern Kentucky, earning a spot on ESPN's 40 Under 40 list in 2020 for his impact on the game.

Coaching Career

La Salle Head Coach (2025-present)

Radford Head Coach (2021-2025)

• 2024 Sunshine Slam Champions
• 2023 Cancun Challenge Champions
• CBI Semifinals (2023)

Florida Assistant Coach (2015-2021)

• NCAA Tournament Elite Eight (2017)

Louisiana Tech Assistant Coach (2014-2015)

• 2015 Conference USA Regular Season Champions

Wofford Assistant Coach (2013-2014)

• 2014 Southern Conference Tournament Champions

Northern Kentucky Assistant Coach (2011-2013)

West Virginia Graduate Assistant (2010-2011)

Awards

• 2020 ESPN 40 Under 40

Charlie Ward was named the 16th head men's basketball coach at Florida A&M University on April 21, 2025. A legendary figure in Florida sports history, Ward is the only Heisman Trophy winner to serve as an NCAA Division I head basketball coach. He took over the Rattlers program after a highly successful tenure at the high school level, where he was known for building disciplined, championship-caliber teams rooted in his "P.A.C.E." philosophy of preparation, accountability, competitive spirit, commitment, and effort.

Before arriving at FAMU, Ward spent seven seasons as the head coach at Florida State University Schools (Florida High) in Tallahassee. During his time there, he revitalized the program, leading the Seminoles to a state championship in 2022, the school's first since 1963. His coaching career began in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, where he served as an assistant under Jeff Van Gundy following his 11-year professional playing career.

Coaching Career

Florida A&M Head Coach (2025-present)

Florida High School (FL) Head Coach (2018-2025)

• FHSAA Class 3A State Championship (2022)

Booker T. Washington High School (FL) Head Football Coach (2014-2017)

Westbury Christian School (TX) Head Football Coach/Assistant Basketball Coach (2007-2013)

Houston Rockets Assistant Coach (2005-2007)

Awards

• Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Award (2011)

Coaching Career

Grambling State Head Coach (2025-present)

Florida A&M Head Coach (2024-2025)

St. Thomas (FL) Head Coach (2021-2024)

• Sun Conference Regular Season Champions (2024)

Washington Adventist Head Coach (2010-2021)

• A.I.I. Conference Champions (2017)
• USCAA Men's Division I National Champions (2014)

Takoma Academy Head Boys' Coach (2009-2010)

La Sierra Assistant Coach (2005-2008)

Awards

• Sun Conference Coach of the Year (2024)
• A.I.I. Athletic Director of the Year (2020)
• A.I.I. Conference Coach of the Year (2020)
• A.I.I. Conference Coach of the Year (2017)
• ICAA Coach of the Year (2014)

Talvin Hester was introduced as the 19th head men's basketball coach in Louisiana Tech history in 2022. With over 20 years of coaching experience, he returned to Ruston after previously serving as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs from 2018 to 2021. In his first three seasons at the helm, Hester orchestrated a significant turnaround, including back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs have consistently ranked among the top defensive teams in the country, notably ranking seventh in field goal percentage defense during the 2023-24 season.

Coaching Career

Louisiana Tech Head Coach (2022-present)

• 2023 Gulf Coast Showcase Champions
• 2022 Samford MTE Champions

Texas Tech Assistant Coach (2021-2022)

Louisiana Tech Assistant Coach (2018-2021)

• 2021 CUSA West Division Champions

Oral Roberts Assistant Coach (2017-2018)

Houston Assistant Coach (2014-2017)

Texas State Assistant Coach (2013-2014)

Stephen F. Austin Assistant Coach (2012-2013)

• 2013 Southland Conference Regular Season Champions

San Jose State Assistant Coach (2010-2012)

Prairie View A&M Associate Head Coach (2005-2010)

Texas College Assistant Coach (2004-2005)

Texas Wesleyan Assistant Coach (2003-2004)

Texas Rim Rockers (USBL) Assistant Coach Intern (2003)

North Lake College Assistant Coach (2002-2003)

Awards

• 2024 NABC District 11 Coach of the Year
• 2024 Ben Jobe Award Finalist

Jonathan Mattox was named the 15th head coach in Morehead State men's basketball history on April 5, 2024. A familiar face in the program, Mattox previously spent nine seasons on the Eagles' bench, rising from graduate manager to associate head coach before a two-year stint as an assistant at Murray State.

Coaching Career

Morehead State Head Coach (2024-present)

• OVC Regular Season Championship (2026)

Murray State Assistant Coach (2022-2024)

Morehead State Associate Head Coach (2021-2022)

Morehead State Assistant Coach (2017-2021)

• OVC Tournament Championship (2021)

Morehead State Interim Assistant Coach (2016-2017)

Morehead State Director of Basketball Operations (2015-2016)

Morehead State Graduate Manager (2013-2015)

Emmanuel (Ga.) Assistant Coach (2011-2013)

Awards

• Joe B. Hall Award Finalist (2025)
• Embrace Us Assistant Coach of the Year (2021)
• Silver Waves Media Top 50 Most Impactful Low-Major Assistant Coach (2020)

Ryan Miller was named the 18th head coach in the history of the Murray State men's basketball program on March 17, 2025. A native of Mitchell, South Dakota, Miller is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier recruiters and has been a key component of winning programs for over two decades. Prior to leading the Racers, he played a vital role in four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances at Creighton, including runs to the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight.

In his debut season at Murray State (2025-26), Miller guided the Racers to a 20-12 record, becoming one of only four coaches in program history to reach the 20-win mark in their first year. Under his leadership, the team secured its highest seed since joining the Missouri Valley Conference and established a 12-game winning streak. Miller's coaching philosophy emphasizes unselfishness, toughness, and competitiveness, traits that have defined his career across stops at Memphis, New Mexico, Auburn, UNLV, TCU, and Creighton.

Coaching Career

Murray State Head Coach (2025-present)

Creighton Associate Head Coach / Assistant Coach (2021-2025)

TCU Assistant Head Coach / Assistant Coach (2016-2021)

UNLV Associate Head Coach / Assistant Coach (2014-2016)

Auburn Associate Head Coach (2012-2014)

New Mexico Assistant Coach (2007-2012)

Pepperdine Assistant Coach (2006-2007)

Memphis Director of Operations (2003-2006)

Awards

• Joe B. Hall Award Watch List (2026)

Coaching Career

West Georgia Head Coach (2018-present)

• 2024 Gulf South Tournament Champions
• 2024 Gulf South Regular Season Champions

St. Bonaventure Assistant Coach (2007-2018)

• 2016 Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champions
• 2012 Atlantic 10 Tournament Champions

Robert Morris Assistant Coach (2006-2007)

Christian Brothers Assistant Coach (2000-2002)

Mount St. Joseph Assistant Coach (1998-2000)

Bethel (TN) Assistant Coach (1997-1998)

Awards

• 2024 NABC South District Coach of the Year
• 2024 Gulf South Coach of the Year
• 2021 Gulf South Coach of the Year

Coaching Career

Sam Houston Head Coach (2023-present)

• 2024 Conference USA Regular Season Champions

Sam Houston Associate Head Coach (2021-2023)

Sam Houston Assistant Coach (2010-2021)

• 2019 Southland Regular Season Champions

Midland College Assistant Coach (2008-2010)

• 2009 NJCAA National Runner-up

Texas Graduate Assistant (2006-2008)

• 2008 Big 12 Regular Season Champions

Awards

• 2x C-USA Coach of the Year (2024, 2026)

Coaching Career

Mercer Head Coach (2024-present)

UT Martin Head Coach (2021-2024)

• 2024 OVC Regular Season Champions

Bethune-Cookman Head Coach (2017-2021)

• 2018 MEAC Regular Season Champions

Daytona State Head Coach (2013-2017)

• 2017 Mid-Florida Conference Regular Season Champions
• 2016 Mid-Florida Conference Regular Season Champions
• 2015 Mid-Florida Conference Regular Season Champions
• 2014 Mid-Florida Conference Regular Season Champions

Campbell Assistant Coach (2010-2013)

Embry-Riddle Assistant Coach (2009-2010)

North Raleigh Christian Assistant Coach (2008-2009)

Awards

• 2018 Joe B. Hall Award (Top First-Year Division I Head Coach)
• 2017 Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year
• 2016 Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year
• 2015 Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year
• 2014 Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year

Bryan Rooney was named head coach of the Cal State East Bay men's basketball program in 2017. Under Rooney's guidance, the Pioneers have reached historic milestones, including the program's highest-ever national ranking of No. 2 in the NABC Coaches Poll during the 2025-2026 season and a record-breaking 20-0 start. He reached his 300th career victory and 100th win at Cal State East Bay in February 2025. In his second season at CSUEB, Rooney led the Pioneers to their first 20-win season since 1999-00 and their first-ever appearance in the CCAA Tournament. Beyond the court, his teams have consistently excelled academically, earning the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award for six consecutive years and achieving the highest grade point averages in program history.

Coaching Career

Cal State East Bay Head Coach (2017-present)

• West Region Champions (2026)
• CCAA Regular Season Champions (2026)
• CCAA Tournament Champions (2026)
• CCAA Tournament (2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2023-2024, 2024-2025)

Cal Maritime Head Coach (2007-2017)

• CalPac Championship (2016-2017)
• CalPac Championship (2015-2016)
• CalPac Championship (2014-2015)
• CalPac Championship (2013-2014)
• CalPac Championship (2012-2013)
• CalPac Championship (2011-2012)
• CalPac Championship (2009-2010)

Claremont McKenna College Assistant Coach (2006-2007)

San Francisco State Assistant Coach (2005-2006)

Dominican University Assistant Coach (2003-2005)

Awards

• Clarence "Big House" Gaines National Coach of the Year (2026)
• NABC Division II West District Coach of the Year (2026)
• HoopDirt.com NCAA D2 Coach of the Week (2023-2024)
• Cal Maritime Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee (2023)
• Silver Waves Media 50 Impactful Head Coaches (2020)
• NABC West Region Coach of the Year (2018-2019)
• CCAA Coach of the Year (2018-2019)
• CalPac Coach of the Year (2016-2017)
• CalPac Champions of Character Coaching Award (2016)
• CalPac Coach of the Year (2015-2016)
• CalPac Coach of the Year (2014-2015)
• CalPac Coach of the Year (2013-2014)
• CalPac Coach of the Year (2012-2013)
• CalPac Coach of the Year (2009-2010)

Zach Chu was named the ninth head coach in the history of the Radford Highlanders men's basketball program in March 2025. At the time of his hiring, he was the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball. Chu is known for his deep analytical background and his "winning in the margins" philosophy, which applies data-driven strategy to player evaluation, portal management, and game-day tactics. Prior to Radford, Chu spent a decade moving through the ranks of professional and collegiate basketball. He most recently served as the Chief Strategist for Men's Basketball at SMU, where he helped implement an analytical framework that produced one of the top 20 offenses in the country. His extensive NBA experience includes a significant tenure under Rick Carlisle with both the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers, where he focused on game strategy and analytics.

Coaching Career

Radford Head Coach (2025-present)

SMU Chief Strategist (2024-2025)

Indiana Pacers Manager of Game Strategy and Analytics (2021-2024)

• NBA Eastern Conference Finals (2023-2024)

Dallas Mavericks Basketball Analytics Liaison (2019-2021)

Texas Legends (NBA G-League) Assistant Coach (2016-2019)

• NBA G-League Postseason Appearance (2017-2018)

Los Angeles Clippers Player Development Intern (2015-2016)

Nike Grassroots Basketball Coach and Ambassador (2014-2019)

Awards

• University of Richmond Scholar Student-Athlete (2015)
• 3-Time Texas State Tennis Champion

Coaching Career

NC State Assistant Coach (2026-present)

Kansas State Interim Head Coach (2026)

Kansas State Associate Head Coach (2025-2026)

North Florida Head Coach (2009-2025)

• 3x Atlantic Sun Regular Season Championship (2015, 2016, 2020)
• Atlantic Sun Tournament Championship (2015)

Baylor Assistant Coach (2003-2009)

Clemson Assistant Coach (1998-2003)

Wyoming Assistant Coach (1997-1998)

La Roche College Head Coach (1993-1997)

Slippery Rock Assistant Coach (1992-1993)

Seneca Valley High School (PA) Assistant Coach (1991-1992)

Butler County Community College (PA) Assistant Coach (1990 to 1991)

Northgate High School Assistant Coach (PA)

Awards

• 3x Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year (2015, 2016, 2020)
• NABC District 3 Coach of the Year (2015)
• Fox Sports Top Ten Assistants in the US (2008)

Coaching Career

• 2001-2002 Bard (assistant)
• 2003-2004 New Paltz (assistant)
• 2004-2005 St. Mary's HS (NY) (assistant)
• 2005-2007 St. Mary's HS (NY)
• 2007-2013 Norfolk State (assistant)
• 2013-2014 Norfolk State (interim HC)
• 2014-present Norfolk State

Championships

• CollegeInsider.com (CIT) Postseason Tournament Champions (2024)
• 4x MEAC Regular Season (2019, 2022, 2024, 2025)
• CIT (2024)
• 3x MEAC Tournament (2021, 2022, 2024)
• MEAC Northern Division (2021)

Awards

• Norfolk State Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee (2025)
• 3x MEAC Coach of the Year (2019, 2022, 2024)
• Hugh Durham Award (2022)
• Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award