Keener hires final assistants

Men's Basketball

Coach Dean Keener has finalized his coaching staff for the 2003-'04 men's basketball season.

Joining Keener on the sidelines for the Dukes will be former Southern Methodist University assistant coach Robert Brickey and former St. Francis College assistant coach Jake Morton.

The two will join former Rhode Island College assistant coach Michael Kelly, who was hired last week.

"I was looking for a group of guys that were enthusiastic, energetic and could bring different things to the table," Keener said.

Brickey is a former player at Duke University and Morton is a University of Miami alumnus.

According to Keener, all three assistant coaches bring specific recruiting ties to the Dukes.

"Robert being from Fayetteville [N.C.] and playing at Duke brings that area," Keener said. "Jake being from the [Washington,] D.C., area and playing his high school [basketball] at Gonzaga Prep covers that region. Mike being from the Northeast brings that area."

As the acclimation process for the three recruits continues, Keener is upbeat about his new coaching staff.

"I'm just really excited because they bring a lot of different ideas and experiences within the profession," Keener said. "These guys understand the mission and the culture of JMU."