(Editor's note: MSU Billings media release)
BILLINGS -- Montana State University Billings men’s basketball head coach Mick Durham announced Friday, June 26, the hiring of Luke Fennelly as assistant men’s basketball coach beginning July 1.
Fennelly spent the last seven seasons in the Montana State men's basketball program and was a member of Danny Sprinkle’s staff during the 2019-20 season. The Montana native spent his first two seasons as a graduate assistant before rising to the operations director position for two campaigns. Prior to the 2018-19 season, Fennelly served as an assistant on staff for two years.
“I’m excited to have Luke here at MSU Billings,” Durham said. “He brings seven years of experience from the Division I level and is particularly qualified to help develop the skills of our players. He’s also very familiar with Montana and has good contacts both locally and internationally. He’s been involved in all aspects of Montana State’s program as well and comes very highly recommended by the Montana State coaching staff, including head coach Danny Sprinkle.”
Fennelly served as an assistant on a Montana State staff that earned its first conference tournament game in nearly 10 years and beat a Pac 12 opponent for the first time in six years. He also oversaw the skill development of perimeter players. Two, Harald Frey and Tyler Hall, earned all-conference selections. Hall, along with Keljin Blevins, were drafted to the NBA G League. Fennelly also helped develop Ladan Ricketts who finished his career fifth in Bobcat history in 3-point field goal percentage. He has served a role in various areas for Montana State. Fennelly has had a hand in the Bobcats' non-conference game scheduling. Fennelly is responsible for coordinating all of MSU's Bobcat Basketball Camps which feature over 200 campers each summer. He also monitors all daily basketball operations for Montana State and coordinates all team travel and community relation efforts.
"I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Durham's staff at MSU Billings,” Fennelly said. “I'd like to thank Chancellor Edelman, Krista Montague and Coach Durham for believing in me and allowing me to be a part of the MSUB family. I can't thank Leon Costello, Coach Sprinkle, Coach Fish, and Coach Huse enough for their guidance and leadership during my time at Montana State. The time and energy shared has been most memorable and I am very appreciative.”
Fennelly has earned degrees from the University of Oregon (BS, Sports Business, 2012, minor in economics) and Montana State University (Master's in Health and Human Performance with an emphasis in Coaching and Sport Science) after beginning his coaching career at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, in 2010. He rose to the top assistant position there in 2012-13 for a 22-10 team that earned a No. 1 ranking in the NWAACC and a berth in the league tournament for the first time in five seasons. He was a two-time all-conference basketball player at Whitefish High, also earning all-state honors in football as a senior.
The Yellowjacket men’s basketball team has qualified for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament one time in coach Durham’s two-year tenure at MSUB.
