Penn State has named Dwayne “DJ” Stephens as its newest assistant coach, a move that underscores the program’s intent to bolster its bench with a seasoned recruiter.
A storied coaching journey
Stephens arrives after a 19‑year stint as an assistant at Michigan State, where he helped the Spartans capture six conference titles and reach six Final Fours, while mentoring players who later became NBA stars such as Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Miles Bridges and Dwyane Wade.
Prior to Michigan State, Stephens served as head coach at Western Michigan for four seasons, compiling a 42‑84 record but earning three consecutive rebounding titles in the Mid‑American Conference and guiding the team to a 26‑46 conference slate.
His recruiting acumen is widely credited for connecting the program with top talent; among his protégés are Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Miles Bridges and the late‑career Dwyane Wade, all of whom credit his development path.
Coach Mike Rhoades praised Stephens’ ability to build relationships and impact winning, noting that the hire comes as the Nittany Lions replace departing assistants Joe Crispin and Jamal Brunt.
The addition also revives a familial tie to Penn State, where his brother Jarrett Stephens once starred as a consensus first‑team All‑Big Ten forward, ranking fifth in school history with 657 points in a single season.