Drew Diener Named Assistant Coach At Virginia

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Sept. 4, 2007

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Drew Diener, the director of men’s basketball operations at Virginia the last two years, has been named an assistant coach for the Cavaliers. Diener’s appointment was announced on Tuesday (Sept. 4) by Virginia head coach Dave Leitao.

Diener came to Virginia after spending one year as the graduate assistant operations director for the men’s basketball program at DePaul University.

“Drew has done a terrific job as a member of my staffs at Virginia and DePaul,” Leitao said. “He’s been around basketball his entire life and is passionate about the game. He is personable, has a strong work ethic and relates well to players. I’m confident in his ability and feel he’ll do a fine job with his new responsibilities.”

Prior to joining the DePaul staff, Diener was an assistant coach at Northridge Prep in Niles, Ill., for one year.

“I am very excited about my new role on Coach Leitao’s staff,” Diener said. “A coaching position has been a goal of mine since my first day at DePaul. I have tremendous respect for Coach Leitao and have learned a lot from him. I believe the time I’ve spent on his staffs at DePaul and Virginia has prepared me well for this opportunity.”

A native of Fond du Lac, Wis., Diener is a 2003 graduate of Saint Louis University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Diener was a member of the basketball team at Saint Louis and ranked sixth on the program’s career three-point field goals made list with 124 when he graduated. He made 40 percent (124-310) of his three-point attempts during his collegiate career. Diener was named the team’s Most Improved Player as a junior. Saint Louis participated in one NCAA Tournament and in the National Invitation Tournament twice while he was a member of the team.

As a high school player at Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac, Diener was the 1998 Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year and an All-America selection by Street & Smith’s. He helped Goodrich, which was coached by his father, Dick, to four consecutive conference titles and a berth in the state quarterfinals as a senior. His brother Drake and cousin Travis were teammates on the team his senior season. Diener graduated holding seven school records at Goodrich, including career points (1,505) and single-game scoring (45).

Diener comes from a basketball family. His brother Drake played at DePaul and is now playing professionally in Italy, while his cousin Travis played at Marquette and is now with the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association. Diener’s father was a high school coach before his retirement and will be inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in October. His cousin Rachel played on the women’s basketball team at Saint Louis.