Marist University Athletics

Bower brings three decades of experience at the collegiate and NBA levels. After serving as an assistant coach at Penn State from 1983-86, he spent the next nine seasons at Marist. Bower was the top assistant from 1986-90, and associate head coach from 1990-95. He then worked for the NBA’s Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets for the next 15 years, during which he served as general manager, head coach, director of player personnel, assistant general manager, assistant coach, director of scouting and advance scout. Most recently, Bower served as a consultant to the NBA league office and various NBA teams.

The Bower File
	St. Francis (Pa.) 1979-83: Student Assistant
	Penn St. 1983-86: Assistant Coach
	Marist 1986-90: Assistant Coach 1990-95: Associate Head Coach
	Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets 1995-97: Advance Scout 1997-98: Director of Scouting 1998-99: Director of Scouting/Asst. Coach 1999-2000: Director of Scouting 2000-01: Assistant General Manager 2001-03: General Manager 2003-04: Assistant Coach 2004-05: Director of Player Personnel 2005-09: General Manager 2009-10: General Manager/Head Coach
	National Basketball Association 2010-13: Consultant: League Office & Various Teams
	Marist 2013-Present: Head Coach

In Bower’s previous tenure at Marist, the Red Foxes won the ECAC Metro Conference regular-season championship in 1987 and 1988, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 1987. He aided in the development of Rik Smits, who was the second overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. The Red Foxes were also ranked second in the country in field goal percentage defense (.401) in the 1989-90 season.

In 1995, Bower joined the Hornets’ organization as an advance scout, a position he held for two seasons. He was then promoted to director of scouting, a position he held from 1997-2000. In 1999, Bower served as an assistant coach for 35 games when Paul Silas was promoted to head coach, during which the Hornets posted a 22-13 record.

Bower became assistant general manager for the 2000-01 season, and served the first of his two stints as general manager from 2001-03. After one season apiece as assistant coach (2003-04) and director of player personnel (2004-05), he took over as general manager in 2005. He held this position until 2010, and also was head coach for the final 73 games of the 2009-10 season. Despite several injuries to key players, the Hornets compiled a 34-39 record under his leadership.

In 2007-08, a team constructed by Bower enjoyed its finest season in franchise history. New Orleans won its only division title, set a franchise record with 56 regular-season wins, and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals, where they took the San Antonio Spurs to seven games. That year, Bower finished third in the Sporting News NBA Executive of the Year voting.

During Bower's tenure with the Hornets, the organization drafted four future NBA All-Stars: Baron Davis (1999, third pick), Jamaal Magloire (2000, 19th pick), David West (2003, 18th pick) and Chris Paul (2005, fourth pick).

Bower is a native of Hollidaysburg, Pa. He and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of a 10-year-old daughter, Lindsey. He received a bachelor of the arts in history/education from St. Francis (Pa.). As an undergraduate, he was an assistant with the Red Flash.

What They're Saying About Jeff Bower...
“I loved him as an assistant coach. We worked closely together on post moves. We worked out a lot of early mornings. As a kid, I was not a morning person, but he convinced me to get up early, and it sure paid off. He’s a very insightful guy, very smart, and he loves the game and studies it. He’s an all-around good guy and good coach. I’m glad to see he’s back at Marist and I think he will really help Marist.” Rik Smits Center, Marist College & Indiana Pacers Second Overall Pick, 1988 NBA Draft NBA All-Star, 1998
“Jeff is a brilliant basketball coach who has held every conceivable job in the NBA, which makes him an astute hire for Marist College. His background is unique, but I don’t think he has ever forgotten his roots at Marist. I think he’s going to combine the knowledge he gathered in the NBA with his passion for Marist College, and make them a perennial contender in the MAAC.” Jeff Van Gundy NBA Television Analyst Former NBA Head Coach, New York Knicks & Houston Rockets
“What a great hire! Jeff is a great basketball guy. He was as knowledgeable at what he did as anyone in the NBA, and a tremendous talent evaluator. He’s a great coach who I think players will love playing for. The kids who decide to play at Marist will have a tremendous advantage because Jeff knows what it takes to be a great player. He’s been around the best of the best.” Stan Van Gundy Former NBA Head Coach, Miami Heat & Orlando Magic
“I think Jeff is a fantastic coach, and he‘s a great hire. He brings a lot of real-world experience at the highest level, and I think he’s going to bring us back to where we should be. He deinitely helped me both personally and professionally. He has a great way about teaching the fundamentals. He‘s very patient, and he worked with me as I developed. He put in a lot of hours with me, and it showed.” Alan Tomidy Center, Marist College Single-Season Record Holder, Rebounds (11.3 per game, ‘95-’96)
“I’m thrilled for Jeff and Marist College. I know how strongly he feels about the school and community. They are getting a great coach, leader and person. Jeff is not only a great teacher, he also has the unique ability to communicate and motivate each individual player to help them reach and achieve their maximum potential.” Tom Thibodeau Head Coach, Chicago Bulls 2011 NBA Coach of the Year