FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Jermone Riley, Matt Dunn and Vic Sfera were officially named assistant coaches at Northern Arizona by new men's basketball coach Jack Murphy on Thursday.
“Being my first head coaching job, I really went back and forth about what I needed in terms of the makeup of the staff,” said Murphy. “I finally decided I needed three men that have the same values I share in terms of ethics and morals but were also are complements to me in other areas. They all bring youth, energy and excitement, which will be the hallmark of our staff.”
Riley, the 1994 Big Sky Freshman of the Year after averaging 10 points and four assists per game with the Lumberjacks, returns to the Northern Arizona bench for the second time in his career after serving as an assistant for the 2006-07 season. Riley most recently served as the head coach at Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas for the last four seasons. Palo Verde won or shared three straight region titles from 2008-11 and was the Nevada 4A state runner-up in 2008-09. Riley was named Nevada 4A Coach of the Year after the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
“Jermone was one of my first priorities when I got the job,” said Murphy. “He is a former Big Sky Freshman of the Year here at NAU and has been a former assistant coach for the Lumberjacks. He is an outstanding coach, and I have known him for a very long time. He is passionate about teaching young men about basketball and life. He and his wife are looking forward to returning to Flagstaff.”
Dunn worked with Murphy on Josh Pastner’s staff at Memphhis for the last three seasons, serving the last two as the assistant director of operations. He oversaw the Tigers' basketball web site, www.insidememphisbasketball.com. The site provided glimpses into the Memphis hoops program along with behind-the-scenes footage and messages from Pastner. Dunn also was involved with other areas of the program's operations side. He began his coaching career at Miami Dade College as an assistant in 2008-09, coaching seven players who transferred to NCAA Division I schools, including Will Coleman of Memphis and Trevor Mbakwe of Minnesota.
“Matt Dunn was with me at the University of Memphis,” said Murphy. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and background in the junior college game. He has great experience working with the big men and will handle those duties here at NAU. He is a hard worker and is dedicated to the student-athletes, the team and his profession. He has coached some of the best players in college basketball.”
Sfera, a Southern California native, comes to NAU from the University of Virginia, where he worked under coach Tony Bennett as the basketball technology assistant. Sfera helped the Cavaliers advance to the NCAA tournament this past year for the first time since 2007 while assisting in day-to-day operations, including opponent scouting, film exchange, recruiting, community and alumni outreach and camps. Sfera also worked under Murphy on the Memphis staff in 2009-10, when he served as the head student manager.
“Vic joins us from the University of Virginia after helping coach Tony Bennett,” said Murphy. “He has gone through a lot in his young life and has always come out on top. He is very polished and can handle the many different hats that come with being an assistant coach. He adds value on the court because of the great coaches he has been around and will be valuable off the court in the daily operations of the program.”
