Saint Augustine’s College Names Men’s Assistant Basketball Coaches

Saint Augustine’s College Names Men’s Assistant Basketball Coaches

September 20, 2010
 
Saint Augustine’s College has announced the hiring of Erasto Hatchett and Johnny White as men’s assistant basketball coaches Monday. Hatchett comes to Saint Augustine’s College from Word of God Christian Academy where he was the men’s varsity basketball coach. White comes to Saint Augustine’s College from the University of Hawaii.

Hatchett

White

“As head coach, you obviously want to hire assistant coaches that you know and compliment what you offer,” said Ken Spencer, Falcon head men’s basketball coach. “I did that with Hatchett and White. Johnny White brings to the table a wealth of knowledge at such a young age. He has been in Division I basketball. He is very good administrator and is good at organizing. He is also a good basketball coach and person.
 
“Erasto Hatchett is going to be a really good coach,” Spencer added. “He coached at Johnson C. Smith and played in the CIAA so he has experience in the conference. He also coached prep school ball so he has a wealth of contacts as far as recruiting. The combination of those two guys will be really good for us.”
 
Hatchett will be responsible for on-the-floor coaching, recruiting, scouting and player development. He brings with him over a decade of coaching experience at a variety of levels. While at Word of God, he was named SEIC conference coach of the year in 2009-2010 and selected head coach of the 2010 Derby Festival All-Star Classic in Louisville, Ky. He coached N.C State University recruit C.J. Leslie while at Word of God as head coach.
 
“I feel honored and blessed to be here,” Hatchett said. “I am glad to get the opportunity to continue to do what I love – which is coaching. I am really glad to be back in the CIAA. I think it is one of the best Division II basketball conferences.”
 
Hatchett started his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater Johnson C. Smith University as a volunteer assistant coach from 2001-2004. He then became an assistant coach from 2004-2008 at Cannon Prep School in Concord, N.C., where the men’s basketball team finished with a 47-0 conference record over three seasons. In 2009, Hatchett became head men’s basketball coach at the Cannon School, leading the team to first place in the CISAA with a 23-9 overall record.
 
Hatchett also was the head boys basketball coach at James Martin Middle School in Charlotte, N.C., and the AAU basketball coach with the Charlotte Stars/United Celtics from 1999-2001.
 
Hatchett played four seasons for Johnson C. Smith, earning CIAA rookie of the year honors. He is a member of the Black Coaches Association and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
 
The Lexington, Ky., native earned his bachelor’s degree in social work from Johnson C. Smith in 1997. He and his wife Tiffany have two daughters, Aaliyah (7) and Madison (4). The Hatchetts reside in Raleigh, N.C.
 
White will be responsible for the development of the guards, as well as assisting with recruiting, game preparation, scouting and academics. A native of Orlando, Fla., White was a basketball standout at Brevard Community College where he started every game.
 
At Brevard, White was a first team all-freshmen selection, second team All-American pick and named Sun Coast player of the year. After graduating from Brevard, White headed west to the University of Hawaii.
 
White began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Hawaii. After his first season, he was promoted to video coordinator, a position he held until heading to Saint Augustine’s College.
 
“I am thankful for the opportunity that Coach Spencer and the athletic department have given me,” White said. “As a young coach, I just want to work hard and continue the winning tradition of the basketball program.”
 
White graduated from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal/organizational communications. He also earned an associate of arts degree from Brevard Community College.
 
The Falcons are the defending CIAA champions, having won the title for the first time last season since 1997. They also posted the CIAA’s highest team grade point average for men’s basketball in the 2009-2010 season.