Elon Men’s Basketball Announces Staff Promotions

ELON, N.C. – Elon University head men’s basketball coach Matt Matheny announced three promotions on his staff today, June 6. Tim Sweeney has been elevated to associate head coach and Monty Sanders has been promoted from director of basketball operations to an assistant coach. In addition, Phoenix assistant coach Jack Wooten moves into a more active role in the program’s recruiting, scheduling and camp efforts.

The 2013-14 season will mark Sweeney’s fifth at Elon. Sweeney has served a key role in rebuilding the Phoenix program over the last four years. His work in recruiting has helped the maroon and gold secure talented and impactful freshman classes in every season since arriving on campus. Sweeney graduated cum laude from the University of Rochester in 2003 with a degree in political science.

“Tim has worn many hats for our program over the last four years,” commented Matheny. “[Tim] desires to be a head coach and this elevation as associate head coach is another step in that direction.”

The 2013-14 season will mark Wooten’s fourth as an assistant coach with the Phoenix after serving as the director of basketball operations during the 2009-10 season. In addition to playing a key role in Elon’s recruiting efforts, Wooten moves into a more active role in scheduling for the Phoenix, as well as game preparation and coordinating basketball camps. Wooten was a two-year letter winner on the University of North Carolina men’s basketball team, earning a national championship ring as a senior. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa as a senior and graduated from UNC in 2009 with a degree in political science.

“Jack will be relied upon for increased contributions in many different facets of the program,” Matheny said. “He will be even more involved in recruiting, game preparation, game scheduling, among many other responsibilities including coordination of our summer camps.”

The 2013-14 season will mark Sanders’ fourth at Elon after serving the previous three years as the director of basketball operations. As an assistant coach, Sanders will play an active role in the recruiting efforts of the Phoenix staff and will also have the opportunity to work on the court with the student-athletes, both at practice and during individual workouts. Sanders was a two-year letter winner on the Phoenix basketball team, serving as a team captain his senior year. Sanders graduated from Elon in 2009 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing.

“Monty has earned the opportunity to take another step in his career path,” Matheny said. “With this step comes an increased role in recruiting as well as in day-to-day practice preparation and involvement. We are excited about Monty’s new responsibilities.”

The Elon staff helped guide the program its most successful season at the Division I level last season, winning the Southern Conference North Division title finishing with a 21-12 record. The program’s 21 victories were the most since the 1973-74 season. The Phoenix made a postseason appearance at the Division I level for the first time in program history as well when it earned an invitation to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT).