BOISE -- Boise State men's basketball associate head coach Phil Beckner is leaving the program after two seasons.
"I can’t thank Leon Rice and Curt Apsey enough for the chance to coach at such a special place, while also getting to work with and learn from some phenomenal individuals," said Beckner. "I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Boise State men's basketball program. This program has developed a winning culture, won at a high level and consistently graduated student-athletes."
Beckner arrived from the University of Nebraska prior to the 2016-17 campaign and was promoted to associate head coach this past season.
It is well known that Beckner made a huge impact on All-Mountain West guard Chandler Hutchison, who is expected to hear his named called in the NBA Draft this June. As a sophomore, Hutchison averaged 6.8 points per game. That number jumped to 17.4 during his junior year, and as senior this past season, Hutchison became just the fourth player in program history to average at least 20.0 points per game in a single-season.
"I'm so grateful for all that Phil has done for myself and this program,” said head coach Leon Rice. “He is going to accomplish some amazing things at the next level, and I'm excited to see what the future has in store for him. His dedication and commitment to our basketball team the last two years has been greatly appreciated by myself, the players and everyone involved with the program."
Beckner has eight total seasons of coaching experience at the collegiate level, and one at the professional. After seven seasons at Weber State, the last five of which he served as an assistant coach, Beckner spent one year with the Oklahoma City Blue, the G-League affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. He then spent one year at Nebraska before coming to Boise.
“At this point in my career, I am excited to move forward with other basketball opportunities," said Beckner. "There are very few times we as coaches have the chance to follow our passion and pursue things we have always wanted to. I am really looking forward to this next step.”
It is currently unknown where the next landing spot for Beckner will be, but he is the fourth Boise State assistant to seek out a new opportunity in the last three years. Following the 2016-2017 season, two former assistants left. Jeff Linder was named the head coach at Northern Colorado, and Danny Henderson accepted an assistant position at Oklahoma State. Following last season, John Rillie then moved on to coach at UC Santa Barbara.
"When I took this job, I wanted to be a guy that could help guys move on to their head coaching opportunities or whatever they are striving for in their coaching careers," said Rice earlier this week when asked about his coaching staff. "We've moved a lot of guys on to great spots for them.
"Sometimes it helps to get new ideas and fresh guys in the program," Rice continued. "Continuity is nice and it does make it easier, but I want a balance. (Chris) Petersen told me this when he was here. (Petersen) said he likes a changeover because he gets new ideas and fresh perspective. He doesn't like excessive changeover, but sometimes that helps a program."
Boise State has yet to announce who will replace Beckner on staff.
