Geoff Alexander
Geoff Alexander is an American basketball coach who is currently an assistant coach for the for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team.
Playing Career
A native of Lincoln, Illinois, Alexander graduated from Lincoln Community High School and played for their men's basketball team, where he was coached by his father Neil, who currently ranks 2nd in Illinois High School Association career basketball wins[1]. Alexander's time at Lincoln was memorable as he ranks in the school's top 10 for career points and rebounds, and Alexander was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012, where his father was inducted in 2004[2]. After High School, Alexander played for two seasons at Southeastern Community College (Iowa) in West Burlington, Iowa. He then transferred to Western Illinois University where he played two seasons under his future coach at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Brad Underwood[3][4].
Coaching Career
Alexander began his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant for his alma matter from 2000-02. He then accepted an assistant position at Jacksonville College, Texas, where he stayed for two seasons [2]. At Jacksonville, he helped coach the team to a 17-13 record and a tie for second place in NJCAA Region 14 [5]. Alexander then joined Underwood's staff at Daytona Beach Community College, where he coached for three years. At Daytona Beach, he helped Underwood guide the team to a 70-24 record that resulted in three Mid-Florida Conference Championships [3].
Alexander started his coaching career in the NCAA ranks in 2006 by accepting a role as an assistant coach withIdaho State Bengals men's basketball, where he was also the recruiting coordinator. After five seasons at Idaho State, he moved back to coaching in Lincoln, Illinois when he accepted a position as an assistant coach with Eastern Illinois Panthers men's basketball. However, after only one season, Alexander accepted an assistant coach position with Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball, where he stayed for five seasons. When he was at Evansville, the Purple Aces recorded three 20-plus win seasons and had a 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament title-game appearance in 2016 [3][5].
In 2017, Alexander followed his former coach Underwood when the latter was hired as head coach of Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball [2]. In his first four seasons at Illinois, Alexander was in a staff role as he was an assistant to the head coach. However, after the 2020-21 season, Alexander was elevated to an assistant coach role after all three Illinois assistant coaches left the program[6]. During his time at Illinois, the team won the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in 2021 and a 2021–22 Big Ten Conference men's basketball season Championship in 2022 [3].
Personal Life
Alexander graduated with a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in 2000 and a master's degree from Western Illinois in 2002. He is married to his wife Kiersten and has three children, two daughters and one son [3][5]
References
- ↑ "Most Wins, Coach, Career". Illinois High School Association. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Mahan, Ryan (July 7, 2017). "Lincoln grad Geoff Alexander hired as Illini basketball assistant". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Geoff Alexander". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ↑ "Geoff Alexander". Sports Reference. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Geoff Alexander". University of Evansville Athletics. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ↑ Good, Gavin (May 30, 2021). "'Living a dream': Illinois basketball turns to familiar face in Lincoln's Geoff Alexander". Journal Star. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
External links
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