Prioleau & Rohn Join Men's Basketball Staff
"I feel extremely fortunate to put the staff together that we did in such a short period of time," Boyle said. "I think we have a great blend of personalities and a great blend of experience."
Prioleau and Rohn join current CU assistant Tom Abatemarco, who will be retained after joining the coaching staff in March under the previous staff. Boyle will name his Director of Operations at a later date.
"Tom has a great reputation; he's a tireless recruiter and that's something we're going to need," Boyle said. "I didn't know him before I arrived here, but I got a good feel for him, and I'm excited to have him on staff. Jean Prioleau and Mike Rohn were both with me at Wichita State for five years."
Prioleau comes to Boulder from Texas Christian University after spending the previous two years (2008-2010) with the Horned Frogs as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to TCU, Prioleau spent two years on the coaching staff at Iowa State (2006-2008).
"Jean has grown tremendously in this business in a very short period of time and what I like about him, the fact he's not only a good recruiter, a good basketball coach, he has a great basketball mind. To me, he's the full package in terms that some guys are labeled one thing or another, but he's got all the goods. I'm really fortunate to have him. He's been in the Big 12, the Big East, the Mountain West, so he knows this level of basketball and he's well-connected throughout the country."
At Iowa State, Prioleau helped the Cyclones record 29 victories during his time and in his two seasons the Cyclones had three All-Big 12 Conference performers. Soon after accepting the position at Iowa State, Prioleau played an instrumental role in signing one of the top players for the Cyclones in Wesley Johnson (All-Big 12 Rookie Team).
Prior to joining the Iowa State program, Prioleau spent the 2005-06 season as an assistant coach under former Marquette head coach and current Indiana University head coach Tom Crean. Before his stint with Marquette, Prioleau spent five seasons on the coaching staff at Wichita State (2000-2005) where he played a vital role in the resurgence and success of the Shockers in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Shockers earned a berth in the National Invitation Tournament on three occasions during Prioleau's tenure.
A former standout at Fordham University, Prioleau was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000 after concluding his career ranked second in all-time steals and assists, third in free throw percentage, fourth in field goals made and sixth in scoring. He earned his bachelor's degree in physics in 1992.
"It's a great opportunity to be back in the Big 12 and more importantly, I'm thrilled to be back with coach Boyle and with coach (Mike) Rohn again," Prioleau said. "I'm appreciative of having the opportunity to help coach Boyle and the program build on what they accomplished last year and beyond for years to come. Colorado's a great place to recruit and I'm excited to be part of it."
Before arriving at CU, Rohn spent the previous three years as the director of basketball operations at Texas A&M (2007-2010) where he helped the Aggies to a trio of NCAA Tournament Round of 32 appearances. Rohn spent seven years as an assistant coach to Mark Turgeon at Wichita State (2000-2007).
Prior to Wichita State, he served three seasons as head coach (1996-2000) at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, where he built a 55-38 record, including a 21-10 mark in 1999-2000. Rohn was an assistant coach at Dodge City from 1993-96.
"I'm very excited for the opportunity to back with coach Boyle," Rohn said. "Obviously, he's a good friend of mine and I have a lot confidence in his ability to lead this program. This program is really on the cusp of doing something really special and I think he's going to lead us into doing that, so it's a great opportunity for me and I'm fortunate to be here."
Rohn was a graduate assistant coach at Fort Hays State (1991-1993) while earning a master's degree in sports administration and coaching. Rohn earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1990 from McPherson College, where he was a two-time all-conference selection. He was named the league's newcomer of the year as a junior and was the conference player of the year as a senior.
He also was named McPherson's Male Athlete of the Year in 1989.
"I've known Mike for over 15 years now and I recruited some of his players when he was a junior college coach," Boyle said. "He's the ultimate grinder; loves to work, a tireless recruiter, a great basketball mind. Both Mike and Jean are the complete package as far as guys that they can relate to as players in the program, as well as recruit players into the program. I think it's important to have both, and both are good basketball guys."
Boyle's Years at
Wichita State
2000-01
Wichita State
(AC)
9-19
.321
2001-02
Wichita State
(AC)
15-15 .500
9-9 in MVC
2002-03
Wichita State
(AC)
18-12 .600
NIT Tournament, 12-6 in MVC
2003-04
Wichita State
(AC)
21-11 .656
NIT Tournament, 12-6 in MVC
2004-05
Wichita State
(AC)
22-10 .688
NIT 3rd Round, 12-6 in MVC
2005-06
Wichita State
(AC)
26-9
.743 NCAA Sweet 16, MVC Regular
Season Champs (14-4)
Totals 111-76 .594
59-31 (.656)