FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University first-year men's basketball head coach
Jayson Gee has announced the appointment of Mario Huffman as the Director of Basketball Operations. Huffman previously served as an assistant coach at Hampden-Sydney College during 2012-13. He was also an assistant coach at Tunstall High School (2010-12), following time as a volunteer assistant coach at his high school alma mater (2006-09).
"Coach Huffman brings tremendous energy and passion to the position of Director of Basketball Operations," said Gee. "I am excited to add someone of his ability to our staff. He will serve as a mentor to our players and be a rock solid role model. I love what he stands for and what he is all about as a person and coach."
At H-SC in his most-recent role, Huffman assisted in day-to-day operations of the program and all other assigned duties, served as a recruiter for athletes in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, was an academic advisor for players and a mediator for player and teacher relations, and broke down game film for teaching tools and coaching strategies. He was also a staff leader and advisor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"I have been truly blessed with the opportunity to work with an exceptional leader in Coach Gee," said Huffman. "He is a man of great wisdom and understanding, but more importantly he knows how to positively impact and shape the lives of young men. After studying his track record I immediately noticed we hold the same values, and Longwood University is the place for me and my soon to be wife. I am excited to help shape the lives of every young person I encounter as a coach and as a member of this community."
Huffman was a three-year standout football player at Averett University, earning the program's Cougar Vision Award in 2010 when he was also the school's Male Athlete of the Year. He was a three-time All-USA South Athletic Conference honoree at linebacker (2008-10), and was the USA South Athletic Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year and Averett Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. Huffman was a member of the Averett men's basketball team during 2008-09, helping the Cougars win the regular season and USA South Athletic Conference Tournament Championships.
The Danville native earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from Averett in 2009, and received a master of science degree in sports management and administration from Liberty University in 2012. Huffman was the Tunstall Army Male Athlete of the Year and senior class president in 2005 when he earned All-District and All-Metro honors in basketball, while surpassing 1,000 career points. He has worked numerous summer camps and clinics since 2003 and attended Virginia Tech (2005-08) before enrolling at Averett.
