Dan Bairley Action

Men's Basketball

New CNU Assistant Coaches Enjoying Early Success With Men's Basketball

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Head coach John Krikorian announced changes to the Christopher Newport University men's basketball staff, effective immediately. Long-time assistant coach Roland Ross is joined by full-time assistant Jarren Dyson and part-time assistant coaches James Liebowitz and Dan Bairley. Former player Ben Watkins will also serve as a student assistant coach this season. 

"I am really happy with the group of guys we have on the sideline this season," said Coach Krikorian. "I believe this staff is a perfect fit for Christopher Newport University and each guy brings a different perspective to the table. Their experiences, both as former players and as high-caliber coaches, will be a great benefit to the players in this program."

A native of Yorktown, Va., Dyson was a four-year standout point guard at Emory & Henry College (2006-10), ranking third among the program's career leaders in assists. He recorded over 800 points, 400 assists and nearly 200 steals in his four-year tenure, starting 62 games for the Wasps. He returns to CNU for his second season as an assistant coach, and his first in the full-time capacity. Dyson received his degree in Sport Management with a Minor in Business Management from Emory & Henry in 2010. In the 2012-13 season, "J.D." was on the CNU staff as the Captains finished the year 22-6 overall and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round. He has also served as an assistant coach at Tabb High School and helped lead the Tigers to the state quarterfinals during each of his two seasons on the staff.

James Liebowitz, a native of Central Maine, joins the staff for his first season as a part-time assistant coach. Liebowitz played both men's basketball and soccer at Thomas College following an All-American career at Southern Maine Community College. He was named an honorable mention All-American after leading the team in scoring and rebounding in 2005-06. He has most recently served as Coordinator of Marketing and Events for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) in Newport News, joining the USCAA after serving as Interim Assistant Athletic Director at Southern Maine Community College. A 2010 graduate of Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, Liebowitz earned a degree in Sport Management and is currently pursuing his master's degree in the same field at Old Dominion University.

Also joining the CNU sidelines in 2014-15 is Dan Bairley, former Associate Head Coach at the University of Mary Washington. Bairley spent the last 14 seasons on the UMW sideline and monitored the team's strength & conditioning programs. He was a top recruiter while on staff with head coach Rod Wood and helped guide the Eagles to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight last season.

Rounding out the staff will be student assistant coach Ben Watkins. After playing under Coach Krikorian for two years, and serving as a team manager last season, Watkins will join the coaching staff in his junior year. A Fredericksburg, Va. native, Watkins is majoring in Information Systems at CNU.
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Players Mentioned

Ben Watkins

#52 Ben Watkins

F
6' 6"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Ben Watkins

#52 Ben Watkins

6' 6"
Sophomore
F