A Fresh Coaching Lineup at Abilene Christian
Brette Tanner, the head coach of Abilene Christian’s men’s basketball program, has revealed the staff that will guide the team through the 2026‑27 season. The announcement brings together a blend of international savvy and deep‑rooted American experience.
Darren Best, who spent the last year as an assistant in Arkansas, joins after a stint that included stints with Basketball Victoria, the Casey Basketball Association and state squads in Tasmania and Queensland. Tanner highlighted Best’s global network and his role in expanding recruiting pipelines beyond the U.S.
Marlon McCoy, another new addition, arrives after a career that spans youth programs, a graduate assistantship at Florida State and Arizona State, and a recent offensive coordinator role with Drive Nation, the Nike‑backed EYBL circuit. Tanner noted McCoy’s strong ties to Texas, a recruiting hotbed for the program.
The staff also retains familiar faces: Reggie Miller and Elliott De Wit, who were previously announced as assistants, and Danny Young, now in his second year as an assistant. Rich Smith, who earned WAC Defensive Player of the Year under Tanner’s guidance, and Bradyn Hubbard, the program’s single‑season scoring record holder, round out the roster.
Tanner, entering his sixth season as head coach, reflected on the team’s recent progress, including a run to the WAC tournament quarterfinals and a historic victory over Texas in the NCAA Tournament that led to his promotion. He expressed confidence that the new staff will build on that momentum.