Rhode Island College announced this week that it has added three assistant men’s basketball coaches—Kevin Payette, Lawrence McGill, and Tyriek Weeks—to its staff, a move that underscores the program’s commitment to continuity and community.
A Fresh Coaching Roster
Payette, a Rhode Island College alumnus who played from 2001 to 2006 and amassed 932 career points, returns to the Rams after a distinguished coaching career that includes a 2019 Division III Coach of the Year honor for leading Blackstone Valley Prep to prominence, a stint as graduate assistant at the University of Wyoming, and two years as an assistant at Bishop O’Connell High School.
McGill brings a blend of operational expertise and on‑court experience, having served as a coach and co‑director of basketball operations for the New Haven Heat since 2014 and previously guiding Amistad High School to a second‑round finish in the Connecticut state playoffs in 2022. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Eastern Connecticut and a master’s in mathematics from Rhode Island College, positioning him to contribute to both player development and recruiting.
Weeks, a standout collegiate player who averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game during his tenure with the Anchormen, also competed at Rider University and Miami Dade College before joining the Rams. Like his new colleagues, he earned his degree from Rhode Island College, reinforcing the staff’s shared academic background.
Sam Ferry, the program’s director, described the trio as embodying the enthusiasm, selflessness and regional connections that will benefit Rhode Island College’s basketball program, noting that their combined experience and local ties should help the Rams compete at a higher level.