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men's basketball

Head Coach Scott Willard

In his first season as the team’s head coach, Coach Willard led the Lynx to a 14–13 record and a second straight trip to the North Atlantic Conference Semi-Finals. The Lynx compiled a regular season conference record of 9-6, highlighted by a 94-82 defeat of then two-time conference champion Elms College. The team qualified for the conference tournament and upset the #2 seed 75-71 before falling to #1 seed Husson College in the North Atlantic Conference Semi-Finals.

In just one year at Lesley, Coach Willard and his staff were able to implement a high octane offense and pressing defense the led the North Atlantic Conference in points per game (83.3), steals per game (13), and 3-point field goals made per game (9). Out of the 381 Division III schools, Lesley’s ranked 17th in the country in points per game, 5th in the country in steals per game and 23rd in the country in 3-point field goals per game.

Prior to coaching at Lesley University, Coach Willard built a winning program at the Tilton School in Tilton, New Hampshire. During his tenure as head coach at the Tilton School, he compiled a 42–13 (.76) record and directed his teams to the 2004 Lakes Region Championship, 2004 New England Prep School Athletic Conference Championship, and runner up status at the 2005 New England Prep School Athletic Conference Championship. The 2004 Championship was the program’s first title in the 150 year history of the school.

In between Tilton and Lesley, Coach Willard spent a year at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. While there he trained elite amateur and professional basketball players, instructed basketball camps, and organized national tournaments.

Coach Willard’s education includes a bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Plymouth State University. 

 

Assistant Coach Donald Morris Jr.

Donald Morris began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant to Coach Willard for the 2006-07 season. As a former Lesley basketball player, Coach Morris brings a firm grasp and knowledge of Lesley University and the greater New England area recruiting scene. Coach Morris played an integral part in last year’s campaign through his tireless recruiting efforts and on-court skill development.

Coach Morris began his coaching career with the AAU Bay State Jaguars where he guided them to a birth in the YBOA Nationals. He has coached at exclusive basketball camps such as Five Star, Red Auerbach School, Boston Celtics Camp, Danna Barros Camp, and many others across the country.  He also enjoys working with youth players and is currently the boys’ basketball coach at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Coach Morris began his basketball career as a four year starter at Somerville High School in Massachusetts. During his four years at S.H.S, Donald was team M.V.P and Defensive player of the year.  He was a two-time G.B.L all star and was named as one of the “preseason players to watch” by The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald. He graduated from S.H.S in 1998 with a scholarship from one of the top prep schools in New England, Notre Dame Prep. In 2000, he graduated from N.D.P and received a full scholarship to Dean College where he was a two year captain, team M.V.P, and an all-conference nominee.

Coach Morris’s education includes an associate’s degree in Sports Management from Dean College and a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Lesley University. 


Assistant Coach John Shannon

John Shannon begins his first year as an assistant coach with the team. John’s main responsibilities will include recruiting potential student-athletes, organizing scouting reports, and academic advising.

Prior to joining Lesley’s staff, John spent three years as the coach of the Bay State Magic’s 15, 16, and 17 year-old AAU teams. During his tenure with the Magic, John was responsible for coordinating and conducting practices and developing the individual skills of numerous league all-stars and college basketball prospects. His teams competed in tournaments in Washington DC, Las Vegas, and cities throughout the Northeast. In 2006, John guided the Magic to victory in the Massachusetts Premier Courts Tournament. He led his team back to the championship game in 2007 and capped off his AAU coaching career with a first place finish in the Magic’s Spring Shootout Tournament.
 
John is a native of Skaneateles, New York. He graduated from Providence College in 2002 with a BS in history and currently works as a residential mortgage broker at All City Financial Group. He resides in South Boston, MA.


 
updated 01/02/08 | 03:55 PM
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