Stubblefield takes over program after working at Oregon for last 11 seasons

CHICAGO – DePaul University announced a few weeks ago that Tony Stubblefield has been named head coach of the men’s basketball program. Stubblefield comes to DePaul after spending the last 11 seasons at the University of Oregon. Stubblefield has over two decades of experience in college basketball and is regarded as one of the nation’s top recruiters.

“After conducting an extensive and competitive national search, I am proud to welcome Coach Tony Stubblefield to our Blue Demon family,” said Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. “Relationships, recruiting and vision were everything with this hire. We knew we had to find the right person for where our program is right now. Tony quickly demonstrated his eagerness to begin rebuilding this program to national prominence. That, coupled with over 28 years of Division I college coaching experience, extensive college basketball relationships, an elite history of recruiting and his alignment with our vision for the future, made him quickly rise to the top of our candidate list.”

“I’m thankful for the counsel and support of Dr. Esteban and Chief of Staff Steve Stoute throughout this process. Glenn Sugiyama and DHR International were also crucial to this process as they proved to be tireless advocates for DePaul and ensured we conducted the most comprehensive search possible. In all, we vetted and interviewed over 30 candidates in just a few weeks.”

Most recently, Stubblefield served on the staff at Oregon for the last 11 seasons. He helped the Ducks to 10 postseason appearances that included eight NCAA Tournament berths. The eight NCAA berths saw Oregon reach the Final Four once and Elite Eight once along with three other Sweet 16 appearances.

Oregon won back-to-back regular season Pac-12 Championships that followed the 2018-19 team claiming the Pac-12 Tournament title. Overall, the Ducks added four regular season conference championships and three conference tournament championships to the trophy case in Stubblefield’s 11 seasons.

In addition to the team success, Stubblefield assisted head coach Dana Altman in building the program through multiple nationally ranked recruiting classes. He helped Oregon assemble five recruiting classes that were ranked among the top 12 nationally (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021). Included in those classes were future NBA players Troy Brown Jr. and Louis King and NBA Draft choices Brown Jr., Bol Bol and Payton Pritchard.

“It’s a distinct honor and a privilege to serve as the head coach of the DePaul men’s basketball program,” Stubblefield said. “I want to thank DeWayne Peevy and President Gabriel Esteban for providing me with the opportunity of a lifetime.”

“I’m very familiar with the tradition of success this program has achieved, and I know we can achieve it again together. The challenge ahead is the most exciting part. When you consider the world-class education you can receive at DePaul, its Vincentian mission, the city of Chicago as a backdrop and the competitive excellence of the BIG EAST Conference—DePaul was an obvious choice. I’m eager to get to campus, roll up my sleeves and get started.”

Prior to Oregon, Stubblefield spent four years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in the BIG EAST Conference at the University of Cincinnati. He also was on the staffs at New Mexico State (2000-06), UT-Arlington (1996-00), UT-San Antonio (1995-96) and at his alma mater Nebraska-Omaha (1992-95). Stubblefield began his coaching career as a student assistant for two seasons at Omaha where he completed his undergraduate degree in 1995.

“We’re very excited to welcome Coach Tony Stubblefield to the DePaul family,” said DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D. “With more than 20 years of coaching experience at the college level, I know Coach Stubblefield will be an excellent mentor for our student-athletes. In my conversations with him, Tony expressed his admiration for the DePaul community, specifically our Catholic, Vincentian mission. I look forward to supporting him for many successful seasons as a Blue Demon.”

Stubblefield is the 15th coach in program history as DePaul is nearing 1,500 all-time wins while producing 54 NBA Draft picks, 23 20-win seasons and 22 NCAA Tournament appearances. DePaul’s most recent NBA players are Paul Reed with the Philadelphia 76ers and Max Strus with the Miami Heat.

COURTESY DePAUL ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS