Dwayne Stephens Joins Men’s Basketball as Assistant CoachDwayne Stephens Joins Men’s Basketball as Assistant Coach

Dwayne Stephens Joins Men’s Basketball as Assistant Coach

Highly-accomplished college coaching veteran brings nearly three decades of coaching experience to Penn State staff

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Head Coach Mike Rhoades has announced the hiring of highly-accomplished college coaching veteran Dwayne “DJ” Stephens as assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 Penn State men’s basketball season. Stephens spent the last four seasons as the head coach at Western Michigan and comes to Happy Valley with nearly 30 years of college coaching experience, including 19 years of Big Ten experience.

“Coach Stephens is one of the most well-respected and accomplished coaches in college basketball. He brings elite experience from every level of the game — from Final Fours and Big Ten championships, to leading his own program as a head coach. He has recruited and developed some of the best players in the country, and his ability to build genuine relationships and impact winning will elevate every part of our program. We’re excited for our players and staff to get to work with him every day and are thrilled to welcome Coach Stephens and his family to Happy Valley!”

Head Coach Mike Rhoades

Known as one of the nation’s top recruiters and player development coaches, Stephens played a key role in the development of numerous NBA players, including Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Miles Bridges. Stephens has helped guide his teams to 20 NCAA Tournament appearances and six trips to the Final Four throughout his 29-year coaching career. Prior to his four seasons as the head coach at Western Michigan (2022-2026), Stephens spent 19 years as an assistant at Michigan State (2003-2022), the last 10 of which were as associate head coach. Stephens also spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Marquette (2000-2003) and two at Oakland (1997-99).

“I can’t wait to get to State college and help Coach Rhoades continue to build Penn State basketball. I love what he and his staff are doing. It’s a unique time in college athletics and to have the opportunity to join a group that’s doing it the right way is such a privilege. The only person more excited about this opportunity than I am is my brother Jarrett, a PSU basketball alum (Jarrett Stephens ’00). We Are!”

Assistant Coach Dwayne Stephens

Stephens most recently served four seasons as the head coach at Western Michigan. The Broncos made back-to-back MAC Tournament appearances for the first time in more than a decade and built an identity around toughness, rebounding and academic achievement during his tenure. His teams consistently ranked among the MAC’s best on the glass, including leading the league in offensive rebounding for three-straight seasons. Western Michigan also achieved significant academic success under Stephens, earning multiple Academic All-MAC, CSC Academic All-District and NABC Honors Court selections while receiving the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award in three-consecutive years.

Prior to Western Michigan, Stephens spent 19 seasons at Michigan State under Hall of Fame head coach Tom Izzo, including his final 10 seasons as associate head coach. Stephens helped guide the Spartans to 20 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, six Final Fours, six Big Ten championships and four Big Ten Tournament titles during his time in East Lansing. Michigan State posted a 477-189 record during his tenure, while 30 Spartans earned All-Big Ten recognition.

Stephens was heavily involved in Michigan State’s recruiting, scouting and player development efforts and earned a reputation as one of the top assistant coaches and recruiters in the country. He worked closely with numerous future NBA players, including Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Miles Bridges, Xavier Tillman Sr., Adreian Payne, Branden Dawson and Deyonta Davis. Under Stephens’ guidance, Green became the 2012 NABC Division I Player of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year and a consensus First Team All-American, while Jackson became the first Big Ten player since 2007 to earn league Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season.

Before his long run at Michigan State, Stephens spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Marquette under Tom Crean. The Golden Eagles reached the NCAA Tournament in each of his final two seasons, highlighted by a 2003 Final Four appearance led by future NBA star Dwyane Wade. Stephens began his coaching career at Oakland University, helping the program transition into full Division I membership.

A native of Ferndale, Michigan, Stephens was a standout student-athlete at Michigan State from 1989-93. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Spartans, helped the program to four postseason appearances and was part of a Big Ten championship team as a freshman. He helped Michigan State to an 84-38 record through his four collegiate playing seasons before going on to play professionally in Europe.

Stephens earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State in 1993. He and his wife, Sarah, have three children, Taylor, Skylar and Noah. Stephens’ brother, Jarrett,  is a Nittany Lion basketball alum who put together a standout career in the Blue & White from 1996-2000 and was Penn State's first-ever consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection.

Dwayne Stephens – Coaching History
1997-99 – Oakland University, Assistant Coach
1999-2003 - Marquette, Assistant Coach
2003-12 – Michigan State, Assistant Coach
2012-22 – Michigan State, Associate Head Coach
2022-26 – Western Michigan, Head Coach
2026-present – Penn State, Assistant Coach

Welcome - Dwayne Stephens