Scott Wagers, who has been part of seven postseason coaching staffs in his 23 seasons as a college coach, has been named an assistant coach for the Navy men’s basketball team. Head coach Jon Perry, who played under and coached alongside Wagers when they were at East Tennessee State, made the announcement today.
“Scott Wagers is a high-character leader who pours his passion into his players on and off the court,” said Perry. “He has a relentless work ethic, sharp recruiting eye and a high-level basketball IQ that shows up in every detail of how he coaches. Defensively, he brings toughness, discipline and a clear teaching voice. He knows how to build a defense, instill trust and develop confident, connected teams. He’s committed to helping young men grow in every phase of their lives and brings the kind of edge and integrity that will make Navy basketball better. We are excited to welcome Scott, Stacey, Luke and Lola to our Navy basketball family.”
“I am honored to join the Naval Academy’s basketball coaching staff,” said Wagers. “The Academy’s rich traditions and outstanding student athletes, who are committed to excellence both on and off the court, provide me a most unique opportunity. For this opportunity, I am truly grateful. I am thrilled to join coach Perry and his staff. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the Naval Academy’s basketball program while supporting the all-important mission of developing future leaders for our nation.”
Wagers spent 13 seasons (2001-13) in Johnson City, Tenn. The Bucs recorded at least a share of five first-place finishes, appeared in five conference title games and made four trips to the NCAA Tournament with Wagers on the staff. His first NCAA Tournament team was the 2002-03 squad when Perry served as a graduate assistant for the Bucs and the pair worked under former Navy head coach Ed DeChellis. After DeChellis left for Penn State in 2003, Wagers was retained by head coach Murray Bartow. He served as the team’s defensive coordinator through which he was responsible for developing the full-court defensive style, trapping principles and man-to-man philosophy of the team. This led to the Bucs regularly ranking among the top teams in the country in steals, defensive field goal percentage and points allowed. ETSU went on to appear in the NCAA Tournament in 2004, 2009 and 2010, play in the 2007 NIT and reach the semifinals of the 2011 CIT.
Wagers spent the 2013-14 season at Lamar and then was on the Jacksonville staff for the next three seasons (2015-17). Wagers soon traveled across the state and joined the staff at South Florida for the 2017-18 campaign. His six-season tenure in Tampa was highlighted by the 2019 team that posted an overall record of 24-14 and won the CBI with the most victories in school history.
Wagers played basketball at and earned a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Tennessee Wesleyan College (Athens, Tenn.). He began his coaching career upon graduation as the head coach for the boys and girls teams at Washburn High School (Washburn, Tenn.). Wagers spent four seasons at the school where he compiled a 64-38 record and was recognized as the 1994 Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year.
He then became the head coach for the boys team at Robinson High School (Tampa, Fla.) the next season. His teams posted a 126-24 record, averaged 100 points per game, won four division titles and earned one regional championship during his five seasons. Wagers led the 1998 team to the state semifinals, after which he was named the Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches’ Association Coach of the Year and his team was selected as the St. Petersburg Times / Tampa Tribune Team of the Year.
Additionally, Wagers was one of 64 assistant coaches invited to attend the 2011 Nike Villa 7, was named a 2016 NCAA DI – CIT Top 30 Assistant Coach and received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association.
Wagers and his wife, Stacey, are the parents of son Luke and daughter Lola Grace.
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