The Wright Stuff: Men's Basketball Assistant Promoted to Associate Head Coach

MACON, Ga. – Mercer University men’s basketball has announced that Spencer Wright has been promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach. Wright is entering his third season on the Bears’ staff in 2010-11 and oversees the program’s recruiting efforts, in addition to his coaching duties.

Wright, a native of the Bronx, N.Y., has been at MU head coach Bob Hoffman’s side – as either a player or coach – for more than a decade. The longevity of their relationship was one of the key factors in Wright’s promotion.

“ ‘Spence’ and I go way back,” said Hoffman. “I’ve had the great fortune of coaching with him at several different places over the years. The trust I have in him – in who he is – and what he is about is what makes our relationship special.

“He’s a great ‘fit’ for me. Most people know that sometimes I get a little excited and he’s a great calming influence for me.”

The Wright-Hoffman duo began in 1994-95 when Wright played his senior year under Hoffman at Oklahoma Baptist University.  Hoffman then hired Wright as his assistant at Texas-Pan American University, where the tandem worked together for five seasons (1999-2004). When Hoffman was named coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Developmental League, Wright was again tabbed to be at his side for the 2007-08 campaign.

Both Hoffman and Wright came to Macon to join the Mercer staff in 2008-09 and produced immediate success in their first two campaigns.  The Bears’ teams have made two-consecutive appearances in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament, including storming into the championship game last season (narrowly losing to East Tennessee State University). MU’s up-tempo style has also landed the Bears among the A-Sun and national leaders in several statistical categories, both as a team and individually.

“I appreciate (Spencer’s) hard work and dedication,” added Hoffman. “He has a desire to make Mercer University’s program the best it can be.”