The Weber State University men’s basketball program filled two coaching positions this past week, hiring of Kellen McCoy as an assistant coach and promoting Garrett Lever to the director of basketball operations. In addition, the WSU women’s basketball program hired Brett Vana as an assistant coach.

Men’s head coach Randy Rahe said he feels very confident that both McCoy and Lever can come and make an immediate impact on the program.

“Both Kellen and Garrett knows what type of system we have here and are invaluable to the program,” Rahe said. “Both of them have a bright future with this university and with coaching. Garrett was on our staff last year; I felt he was ready to move up. He does an outstanding job and will grow more with more experience. We are excited to have them, and I know that they are excited to be here.”

McCoy is returning to WSU, where he played during the 2007-09 seasons. In the 2008-09 season, he led the Wildcats to a 15-1 record in the Big Sky while being acknowledged as the Most Valuable Player of the Conference. That same year, he garnered NCAA Division I All-American Honorable Mention. He also went on to play professional basketball overseas in Germany and Sweden. Before returning to WSU, McCoy was a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma and an assistant coach for Emporia State University.

Rahe said he is confident that McCoy is going to help the players grow and become the best players they can be because he has been there before.

“Kellen played here and had great success,” Rahe said. “He knows the system, the program and what types of players we are looking to recruit. The things he can share with the guys is invaluable. The first day, he came in and was ready to go, wanting to know what he could help us (with) from the start. We are excited to have him.”

McCoy said he is excited to help the Wildcats build on last year’s success, one of the best basketball seasons in Wildcat history, and be the best coach he can be.

“I am more of a vocal guy; I will give them a pep talk if I see that they need it,” he said. “I want to help with the skill development of the players, help fine-tune their game. I want to have a great relationship with the players so, if one of them wants to go and shoot late at night, I will be there and rebound for them. I am here to make them better; I want them to succeed.”

Lever was the video coordinator for the WSU basketball team last year. Rahe said he felt it was time for Weaver to be promoted.

“He is a great guy and is a great asset to the program,” Rahe said. “I feel like he is really going to help our program grow and his future is really bright.”

Vana is joining the WSU women’s basketball staff after a successful tenure as the head coach at Louisburg College in Louisburg, N.C., where he led the team to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division II National Championship during the 2012-13 season. During his two seasons, he won back-to-back region championships and coached the NJCAA player of the year.

Women’s head coach Bethann Ord said she knows Vana is going to help the program grow and can help further develop the younger players.

“He brings us a winning attitude and lots of energy, and will be a great fit for our program,” Ord said. “He will be a great help in developing our players, and has great experience as a head coach with a background of winning a Junior College National Championship.”

The men’s team will return to the hardwood for the start of the 2013-14 season on Nov. 9 when it travels to Provo, Utah, to take on Brigham Young University.