A Strategic Addition for the Wildcats
Weber State University announced this week that Patrick Zipfel will serve as associate head coach for the men’s basketball program, a move that brings a deep reservoir of NBA knowledge to the Ogden campus.
Zipfel’s 24‑year professional journey spans stints with seven franchises, among them the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. His contributions were pivotal during the Suns’ 2021 Western Conference championship run, a season that also featured the franchise’s longest winning streak.
During his tenure with the Houston Rockets from 2005 to 2009, general manager Daryl Morey publicly labeled Zipfel a “secret weapon” in the team’s 2009 playoff series victory, underscoring the scout’s influence on roster decisions.
The hiring also marks a reunion with Kaleb Canales, who first collaborated with Zipfel over two decades ago while both were assistants to Maurice Cheeks in Portland. Their shared history is expected to bolster continuity within the Wildcats’ coaching philosophy.
Zipfel’s coaching résumé includes a head‑coaching stint at Mansfield University from 2015 to 2018, where his squad posted a perfect 100 % graduation rate and even upset Division I Duquesne, a feat that highlighted his player‑development acumen.
Internationally, Zipfel has scouted for the Ukrainian, Dominican Republic and Canadian national teams under the guidance of coaches Mike Fratello, John Calipari and Nick Nurse, broadening his perspective on global talent pipelines.
Former NBA forward Kevin Love, who worked with Zipfel during his years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, praised the scout’s preparation work, noting that the meticulous approach helped shape his own game.
Beyond the hardwood, Zipfel played point guard at Cabrini College and earned a degree in English/communications in 1989, a background that adds a unique voice to his coaching narrative.