ELON, N.C. – Former Elon University standout point guard Chris Long has been named the Phoenix men’s basketball director of operations, head coach Matt Matheny announced today, June 7.
“It is great to have Chris Long back with the Elon family after a successful professional career,” Matheny said. “His toughness, knowledge of our system and professional playing experience will be extremely beneficial as he mentors our current players.”
A four-year letterwinner at Elon from 2007-11, Long has spent the last two years playing professional basketball in Poland and Romania. After signing with the Miercurea Ciuc basketball club in Romania in 2011, Long agreed to terms with Siarka Jerzioro in Poland in 2012.
“I am very excited for the opportunity to return to Elon University and be a part of the program and the special community that I spent four great years with,” Long said. “I care deeply about the university and the great tradition of Elon basketball and look forward to helping in the continued growth of the program.”
Long ended his career at Elon near the top of the charts in several categories. An All-Southern Conference performer and first-team all-state selection as a senior, Long finished his tenure at Elon with 528 assists, good for second in school history. His senior season, Long averaged 14.7 points and 6.0 assists per game. His assist numbers ranked in the top 20 in the nation and his 188 helpers in 2010-11 were the second most in a single season in Elon history. Long is one of 36 players in program history with over 1,000 career points, as his four-year total of 1,234 points ranks 19th all-time in Elon history. In his final game inside Alumni Gym, Long scored a career-high 30 points and dished out 10 assists in a win over UNCG. He completed his career in the school’s top five in three-pointers (172), assists (528) and steals (155).
Long earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elon in 2011. He replaces Monty Sanders, who was recently promoted to an assistant coach at Elon.