June 28, 2010

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - J.J. Outlaw has been hired as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Marist men's basketball program, it was announced Monday by head coach Chuck Martin. The move completes the Red Foxes' coaching staff for the 2010-11 season.

"I think J.J. is a great addition to our staff," Martin said. "He comes from great bloodlines, he's got a great feel for people and he's charismatic. He's a great fit for us."

Outlaw played four years of varsity basketball at Mount St. Joseph High School in Maryland, the same high school Marist rising red-shirt senior Dejuan Goodwin attended. He was a four-year starter who was a three-year All-League selection in the Baltimore Catholic League. Outlaw then went on to play college football at Villanova, where he was a standout wide receiver. Following his collegiate career, he was property of the Philadelphia Eagles in the off-seasons of 2006 and 2007, and played for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa in the spring of 2007. He also played for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of the arenafootball2 league.

Outlaw spent a considerable amount of time around basketball in his younger days, serving as a ball boy for the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards. His father, John Outlaw, worked in the NBA for the Nuggets, Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats. He is also the godson of longtime NBA coach and executive Bernie Bickerstaff.

Making the transition from football to basketball is not unique to Outlaw - as a matter of fact, it runs in the family. Prior to career in the NBA, John Outlaw enjoyed a 10-year NFL career for the Boston/New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles. After his playing career ended, he served as defensive coordinator at North Carolina Central University for 11 years.

Following his football career and prior to joining the Marist staff, J.J. Outlaw served as Director of Sales for Muscle Gauge Nutrition, a sports nutrition company.

"If you want to be successful, you have to work hard," Outlaw said. "You might as well work hard with something you love doing."

The Director of Basketball Operations position initially became open when Will Lanier, who had served in that capacity the previous two seasons, was elevated to assistant coach.