DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College and head coach Kyle Brumett have announced the hiring of former Yellow Jacket, Nate Conley, as a graduate assistant coach for the men’s basketball program. Conley recently graduated from DC, after completing a four-year career on the planks with the Purple and Gold.

“I am excited about having Nate join my staff here at DC,” stated Brumett. “He knows the ins and outs of the program and has a strong love for Defiance College. He will continue to be a very positive mentor to our younger players and will be given the opportunity to experience the ups and downs of collegiate coaching at a place that he knows very well.”

Conley earned a degree in mathematics this May from Defiance College and will now begin his coaching career with the Jackets, while working towards a master’s degree in education. Conley will focus his coaching efforts with the post players, while also assisting with recruiting.

“I feel truly blessed to be given this opportunity to coach with the Defiance College men’s basketball team and to continue being a part of this basketball family,” said Conley. “I am looking forward to this experience with great anticipation.”

Prior to making the transition to the coaching ranks, Conley rounded out his playing career by starting all 29 games during the memorable 2009-2010 season for Defiance. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native set career highs in nearly every category, while helping Defiance (23-6) to its highest win total in its NCAA Division III tenure, the 26th conference championship in program history and its first appearance in the NCAA D-III National Tournament since 2001.

Conley was part of Defiance’s historic six-man senior class that set a program record with 77 career victories in the school’s Division III era, while also collecting a pair of HCAC Championships and one NCAA Tournament bid.