A New Era for Grizzly Basketball
Spencer Brown is set to join the Missouri State University‑West Plains Grizzly Basketball program as an assistant coach beginning in July 2026, bringing a blend of playing experience and coaching acumen to the role.
Brown’s coaching journey includes a stint as head junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas, where he helped guide the varsity team to a 67‑29 record and a conference championship during the 2025‑26 season. His work there involved player development, game planning, scouting and opponent analysis.
Prior to his high school tenure, Brown served as a graduate assistant for the Missouri State University men’s basketball team from 2021 to 2023. In that capacity he coordinated scouting, recruiting operations, video analysis, player support and program administration, while also assisting student‑athletes with NCAA eligibility and academic expectations.
Brown’s own basketball pedigree includes a period as an NCAA Division I student‑athlete at Missouri State University from 2019 to 2021, following his NAIA career at Lyon College between 2016 and 2018. He has also held volunteer leadership positions with several college and youth basketball programs, further sharpening his leadership skills.
Dillon Hargrove, the head coach of MSU‑WP, expressed enthusiasm about the new addition, stating that Brown’s experience and dedication will strengthen the Grizzly program’s competitive edge and culture.
Beyond coaching, Brown holds a master’s degree in sports management earned from Missouri State University in May 2023 and a bachelor’s degree in history completed in May 2021. He will be part of an institution that offers associate degrees, credit and non‑credit courses, and serves as a delivery site for bachelor’s and master’s programs from Missouri State University in Springfield.