Dials Named Men's Basketball Assistant

Nick Dials was named assistant men's basketball coach (photo courtesy Akron Zips Athletics).

CLARMORE, Okla. – Rogers State Men’s Basketball added a 1,000 career point scorer to the team as head coach Justin Barkley announced Nick Dials as the newest member of the Hillcat coaching staff Monday.

Dials, a graduate of The University of Akron, joins RSU after spending the previous season as Assistant Director of Operations at Akron helping guide the Zips to a first place finish in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and a NIT postseason appearance.

“Through an exhaustive search it became clear that Nick would be a great addition to our program both on and off the floor,” said Barkley. “Nick shares my same desires for the program and will bring great enthusiasm to the staff.”

He spent the 2009-10 season at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia as head assistant coach. During the 2010-11 season Dials served as Director of Basketball Operations at Miami University (Ohio) as the RedHawks finished second in the MAC and reached the Collegiate Basketball Invitational postseason tournament.

As a collegiate player Dials scored 1,000 career points and currently ranks sixth on the career assists list for the Zips over his three-year career. In his senior season he was team captain and earned All-MAC recognition the same year. He began his collegiate career at The Ohio State University, starting nine games as a true freshman.

As a prep player, Dials became the second player in Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) history with 2,000 points and 500 assists. He was a 2003 McDonald’s All-American nominee, MVP of the 2003 Ohio/Kentucky All-Star game and 2003 MVP of the Ohio North/South All-Star game. He was also named OHSAA Division II Player of the Year in 2003.

Dials replaces Kyle Blankenship who accepted the head coaching position at LSU-Shreveport in early July.