Thursday, May 16, 2019
MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University Athletics Department has announced the hiring of Wes Pifer as the next head coach of their men's basketball team. The hiring comes following the departure of Jim Shaw for Washington State University.
"I am truly ecstatic," said Pifer on his first head coaching position. "To get a chance to be the head coach at WOU is a surreal feeling. I want to thank Curtis Campbell, Randi Lydum and the entire search committee for putting their faith in me. I can't wait to get started."
Pifer comes to the Wolves from Northern Arizona University where he served as Associate Head Coach on the Lumberjacks' staff. He boasts eight years of Division I coaching experience; including helping NAU to a school-record 23 Division I wins in 2016.
"Wes is one of the young up-and-coming coaches in the country," said Western Oregon Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Curtis Campbell. "From the onset of this process, Wes showed a high level of energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. His personality enables him to be an excellent recruiter and I am confident that he will keep WOU moving on a positive trajectory."
Pifer played collegiately at Penn State – Altoona, becoming a team captain in the 2002-03 season for the Lions. He played professional in Germany for BBG Herford following his collegiate career, spending 2005-06 overseas.
Pifer's coaching journey has also included stops at St. Andrews University and Division I North Carolina Central University. As he begins his tenure at Western Oregon, Pifer sees a roster that can produce from the outset for his inaugural squad.
"Our team is already built for success right now," added Pifer. "We can compete at the championship level immediately. Fans should expect an exciting style of basketball when they come out to NPE this season. We're going to get up and down the floor and let our guys have a ton of freedom to be who they are."
Western Oregon went 22-11 overall in the 2018-19 season, making an appearance in their fourth consecutive GNAC Championship game and earning a fourth bid in the last five seasons in the NCAA West Regionals.