The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, announced today the completion of the 2015-2016 coaching staff serving under head coach Steve Gansey.
“I am excited about the staff that we’ve been able to assemble. This was a unique situation because each staff member has ties to the city of Fort Wayne along with the Pacers organization. We thought that because of the success of the organization, it would be important to have some continuity,” Mad Ants head coach Steve Gansey said in regards to his staff.
Stephen Graham returns to Fort Wayne in a new role as the team’s assistant coach. Graham spent the 2011-2012 season playing with the team under Joey Meyer. Graham has extensive playing experience through his many years in the NBA, with two of those seasons spent with the Indiana Pacers in 2007 and 2008.
Entering his third season with the Mad Ants, Dylan Murphy remains in his previous role as assistant coach. Murphy spent the last two seasons working under former Mad Ants head coach Conner Henry as an assistant coach and video coordinator.
Jonah Herscu returns to Fort Wayne after spending the past two seasons with the Chicago Bulls as a video coordinator/scout and the previous three seasons with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky as an assistant coach/video coordinator. Herscu will re-join the Mad Ants as an assistant coach/head of player development.
Kevin Bloom has spent the past three seasons with the Mad Ants coaching staff as an assistant coach with a focus in player development and scouting. Bloom served as a member of the coaching staff that led the Mad Ants to their Championship in 2014.
New to the Mad Ants coaching staff this season, Jason Manikowski will step in as the team’s head strength and conditioning coach. Head Athletic Trainer, Matt Campbell, returns for his second season with the Mad Ants.
“I wanted people around me that I’ve known for a while and who I can trust. We also wanted to add some people with different coaching backgrounds and experience. It is important to us to have coaches with good character that are going to do things the right way on and off the court,” Gansey concludes.
The Indiana Pacers’ affiliate will tip-off the 2015-16 NBA Development League regular season at Allen Co. War Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, November 14th at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Raptors 905, the D-League’s newest member. The Mad Ants will kick off their ninth season by celebrating Pacers Night at their home opener. To speak with a Mad Ants representative about season tickets, premium seating and group discount opportunities call 260-469-HOOP or visit www.fortwaynehoops.com today!
