Brad Yoder enters his first season as the Director of Operations for the Nicholls men's basketball squad.
Yoder spent 2016-18 as part of the Bethany College coaching staff. In his role, he assisted with all facets of the men's basketball program, including player development, practice planning and advance scouting. Yoder also served as the recruiting coordinator for the program. During his time at Bethany, Yoder oversaw the development of guards, including five players who would go onto receive All-KCAC honors. Those honorees included Tyler Larkin, who was a two time member of the KCAC All-Defensive Team. The team also set the school record for made threes in a season (242) during the 2017-18 season.
The Apple Creek, OH native landed at Bethany from the University of Pikeville (Kentucky), where he spent four seasons on Kelly Well's coaching staff. In his four years at UPIKE, the Bears went a combined 110-21 overall and 56-14 in conference play, with four consecutive NAIA Division I National Tournament appearances. During this stretch the Bears had a nation-leading 48-game home winning streak from 2013-2015. UPIKE was ranked No. 1 in the Sporting News Magazine Pre-Season rankings during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
The Bears won back-to-back Mid-South Conference Championships in 2013-14 and 2014-15, highlighted by a trip to the NAIA Elite Eight in 2014-15. UPIKE set a program record with 31 wins in 2014-15, including a Mid-South record of 17-1. UPIKE ranked Top 5 nationally in scoring offense per game in each of Yoder's four seasons, including a nation's best 94.2 ppg during the 2015 season.
During his time at UPIKE, Yoder assisted with the development of 13 players who earned All Mid-South Conference awards, including three Mid-South Conference Player of the Year recipients in Deuce Briscoe, Bruce Reed, and KJ Manigault. Yoder also coached twelve players who received NAIA Division I All-American status, highlighted by 2015 NAIA National Player of the Year KJ Manigault. Yoder has coached 11 players who have gone on to play professionally.
Yoder is a 2014 graduate of the University of Pikeville with a bachelor's degree in history and political science. He received his MBA from University of Pikeville in 2016.
THE YODER FILE
HOMETOWN: Apple Creek, Ohio
EDUCATION: University of Pikeville, 2014 (bachelor's in history and political science); University of Pikeville, 2016 (MBA)
COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE
2016-17: Bethany College (Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator)
2012-16: University of Pikeville (Graduate Assistant)
