June 19, 2008

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State head men's basketball coach Ric Wesley announced today that Jeff Bauer has been named the top assistant in the men's basketball program. Bauer replaces Burt Paddock who left to become the head coach at Davenport University. Bauer has been an assistant coach in the GVSU men's basketball program the last two years, while also handling the role of Athletic Director at Tri-County High School.

"We are extremely excited to keep coach Bauer in the men's basketball program at Grand Valley State," said Wesley. "He has a great deal of experience in all facets of coaching and his work ethic is well known throughout the profession. After going through the interview process it was more and more obvious that the best man for the job was already on our staff."

Jeff will be responsible for a variety of duties within the GVSU men's basketball program, including recruiting, camps, on-court coaching and scouting.

"I'm blessed to be able to continue my coaching career at Grand Valley State," said Bauer. "It is extremely exciting to be a part of the Grand Valley State men's basketball program and I want to thank coach Wesley for this opportunity," added Bauer.

Following his graduation from Grand Valley State in 1997, Bauer was a student assistant at Central Michigan from 1997-99 while completing his graduate degree. He then spent the 1999-2000 season as an assistant at Lincoln Memorial, before moving on as an assistant with the Grand Rapids Hoops of the Continental Basketball Association during the 2001-02 campaign. Jeff served as the head coach at Grand Rapids Creston High School during the 2002-03 season and led the team to a 12-9 record. Bauer was a part of the Central Michigan staff from 2003-06 as an assistant coach.

A 1993 graduate of Newaygo High School, Bauer lettered in basketball, football and baseball. He was an all-area pick on the gridiron. Jeff is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has authored a coaching book, "The Complete Motion Notebook."