WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – West Liberty University head men’s basketball coach Ben Howlett has announced the hiring of Connor Harr as a full-time assistant coach. He replaces Mike Lamberti, who was recently hired as the new head men’s basketball coach at NCAA Division II Coker (S.C.).
Harr is no stranger to the hilltop or the WLU men’s basketball program, having taken on increasing responsibilities over the past three seasons while serving as a student assistant coach.
“Connor was an easy choice to fill out our staff as a full-time assistant coach,” Howlett said. “He’s been with us for the past three seasons and assisted in all aspects of the program. He knows exactly how I like to run things and his presence on the staff will continue to give us great recruiting contacts in the surrounding states.”
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Harr came to the hilltop after a season as a student assistant coach at Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, Mich. Harr had spent the previous two years at Columbus (Ohio) State Community College as a student manager with the CSCC men’s basketball program.
Harr also gained valuable experience working for 270 Hoops, an NCAA-certified scouting service in Columbus, and has worked as a credentialed NBA Draft writer/consultant for several basketball websites.
“Connor is a true student of the game and a phenomenal teacher,” Howlett said. “Our guys were thrilled when I told them he would be back with us again next season.”
The Hilltoppers return several starters and key reserves from last year’s 33-4 powerhouse. West Liberty swept the Mountain East Conference regular season and tournament titles before punching its ticket to the NCAA D2 Elite Eight with three straight double-digit wins in the NCAA D2 Atlantic Regional.
The Black and Gold knocked off New Haven (Conn.) and Black Hills State (S.D.) at the Elite Eight before dropping a 111-101 decision to unbeaten Nova Southeastern (Fla.) in the national championship game.
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