Nevada Men's Basketball Program and Head Coach steve alford announced the addition of Nate Dixon to the staff as an assistant coach.
“Nate is well known for his character, integrity and work ethic,” Alford said. “He brings a wealth of experience with consistent success, including in the Mountain West Conference. We are thrilled that Nate, his wife Kristin, and their two sons Walker and Hunter will be joining the Wolfpack family. I’m very excited about it.”
Mr. Dixon is thrilled to begin his new role at the University of Nevada, saying, “My family and I are very excited about the opportunity to join such a prestigious university, program, and community with an incredible history of success.'' We're excited to get to work and experience first-hand the passion the Reno community has for Coach Alford and the Wolf Pack basketball program and help build the upward trajectory this program has experienced. I’m looking forward to doing it.”
Dixon brings a wealth of experience to the Wolf Pack program, having spent more than 25 seasons as a college basketball coach at 12 different programs during his career.
Dixon enjoyed great success throughout his career as a member of six conference championship teams, leading five teams to the NCAA Tournament (three in Division I and two in Division II). Dixon has been rated as one of the top mid-level assistants by both Basketball Times and HoopScoop Online, and he has served on two separate terms on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Board of Directors. Dixon was also invited to the 2022 Coach Javilas Leadership Program and was honored to be selected to participate in the 2020 TopConnect Virtual Seminar. Top Connect, formerly known as Villa 7, was founded in 2003 and aims to identify the top assistant basketball coaches in the country.
Dixon, who is no stranger to the Mountain West, most recently served in the lead assistant coaching role at Utah State, a position he held from 2021-23 before joining Nevada's staff.
While on Utah State's staff, Dixon worked primarily in the Aggies' frontcourt, helping coach two All-Mountain West selections, Justin Beane and Brandon Horvath. Dixon helped the Aggies earn the No. 10 seed in the South and Utah State earn an at-large bid to the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Utah State finished the 2022-23 season with an overall record of 26-9, including 13-5 in the Mountain West.
Prior to his time at Logan, Utah, Dixon served as the lead assistant coach at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) for five seasons from 2016-2021.
Dixon led the Retrievers to 20 wins in three seasons, two appearances in the America East Tournament championship game, one conference tournament championship in 2018, and one regular season championship in 2020-21. Dixon was part of the coaching staff that led UMBC to the NCAA Tournament championship in 2018, and the Retrievers made history by becoming the first No. 16 seed in NCAA Tournament history to defeat a No. 1 seed after UMBC defeated a top seed. left behind. The first round is against Virginia.
Dixon coached four all-conference selections during his time on UMBC's staff, including KJ Maura, who was named to the America East All-Defensive Team twice and was named the 2018 America East Defensive Player of the Year. Contributed. At one point, Dixon was named one of the top five assistant coaches in the America East Conference by stadium.
Prior to joining the UMBC program, Dixon spent one season as the associate head coach at Lenoir-Rhyne in 2015-2016. While on the Bears' staff, Dixon helped the program reach his Sweet-16 for the first time in school history.
Dixon spent four seasons as an assistant coach in Charlotte before taking the job at Lenoir-Rhyne, where he served as the team's technical and scouting assistant.
Prior to joining the staff at Charlotte, Dixon played at Wyoming (2010-11), Louisiana-Lafayette (2009-10), New Orleans (2007-2009) and Louisiana-Monroe (2005-2007). , Florida (2003-2005). ), Stetson (2001-03). Dixon also served as a member of the staff at Queen's University (1998-2001) and Belmont Abbey (1997-1998), a Division II school he served twice.
Dixon played a key role in recruiting and building Florida's roster that won back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. The Gators' roster featured a lot of talent and future NBA players during and after their tenure, including David Lee. , Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Marreese Speights, Corey Brewer, and more.
While on Queen's staff, Dixon helped lead the Royals to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including one appearance in the Elite Eight.
Dixon is a native of Sparta, North Carolina, and played college basketball for two seasons at Gardner-Webb and one season at LaGrange (Ga.). Dixon graduated from UNC Wilmington in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in communications.
The University of Nevada is coming off a great season in which the Pack qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row and finished the season with an overall record of 26-6. Alford and his staff will bring in a lot of new talent this offseason as the University of Nevada looks to compete for a Mountain West Championship and secure the program's third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. brought.
https://nevadawolfpack.com/news/2024/5/13/mens-basketball-alford-announces-addition-of-nate-dixon-as-assistant-coach.aspx