Missouri State University men’s basketball coach Paul Lusk announced a pair of coaching promotions Thursday (June 2) with graduate manager Keith Pickens being moved to a full-time assistant coach position, and current assistant Corey Gipson being advanced to associate head coach.
Pickens replaces Bears’ assistant Brad Korn who recently accepted a similar position at Kansas State after three seasons on the MSU sidelines.
“We’re fortunate to have such a great group of assistant coaches, and I am very excited for Keith Pickens to join our staff on a full-time basis,” Lusk said. “He’s a true Bear in every way, and is a very capable young coach with a bright future.
“We are also excited to promote Corey Gipson to an associate role. He’s done an outstanding job for our program in all areas, and I’m thankful to have him on our staff.”
An on-court standout for the Bears from 2009-14, Pickens has served the past two seasons as the team's graduate manager, providing support for the coaching staff in a number of capacities while completing his master’s in Sports Administration.
The St. Louis native graduated from Missouri State in August 2013 with a degree in Sports Administration. The rugged forward played 19 games his senior year in 2013-14 at the end of an injury-laden career that saw him produce 568 points and 253 rebounds in 111 games. He ranks 10th in school history in blocked shots (70) and led the Bears in rebounding in 24 games during his career. He was part of the 2010 CIT championship team his freshman season and was a member of the 2011 Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship team in 2011, although a knee injury sidelined him for the season.
The 25-year product of Oakville High School was a key part of MSU's 2014 resurgence that culminated in a 20-win campaign under Lusk and 2014 CIT bid.
“I’m extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to continue be a Bear,” said Pickens. “I’m excited to continuing working with the returning players and work with new players to achieve their goals. Help them become men as they go through our program. I’m really grateful to Coach Lusk and our AD Kyle Moats for this opportunity.”
Gipson, a native of Sikeston, Mo., begins his second season on the Missouri State staff after joining Lusk's coaching personnel on July 2, 2015. He spent the three previous seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. While there, he helped lead the Governors to consecutive Ohio Valley Conference championships as a player in 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Gipson also spent two seasons as associate head coach at North Carolina Greensboro (2010-12) after one year (2009-10) there as assistant coach. He earned his promotion to associate head coach at UNCG primarily due to his exceptional recruiting skills. His coaching history also includes a stop at Division II Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va., where he coordinated the Trojans’ recruiting efforts for head coach Tony Collins from 2005-09. Collins was a longtime assistant at APSU and recruited Gipson out of junior college.
“First and foremost, it's obviously humbling to serve and be a part of a great institution like MSU in any capacity,” Gipson explained. “This past year under the direction and leadership of Coach Lusk has been an unbelievable experience to see how passionate and driven he is. It is definitely an honor to continue to serve the program, administration, staff, community and our fans, and I look forward to what is in store for the program in the near future."
Both promotions are subject to final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting.
The Missouri State coaching staff is rounded out by fellow second-year assistant Matt Sligh who came to Springfield a year ago from Motlow (Tenn.) College.
Lusk is entering his sixth season as head coach of the Bears and returns four starters, nine lettermen and more than 70 percent of the club’s scoring and rebounding for 2016-17.
