Gael Basketball Alum Hunter Returns to Saint Mary’s As Assistant Coach

MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett announced today that former Gael Wayne Hunter has been hired as an assistant coach in preparation for the 2021-22 season. Hunter formerly played under Bennett from 2005-10 and comes back to Moraga after spending time at Washington State and UC Riverside.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our program to bring back Wayne. He has a great feel and knowledge of the game and has strong recruiting ties on the West Coast,” Bennett said. “It’s always exciting to have a Gael back in the program and we can’t wait to work with him on a daily basis. He has gathered valuable experience these past couple of years coaching at a high Division I level that will immediately help our program.”

Hunter was previously at Washington State as the Recruiting Coordinator under former Gael coach Kyle Smith. Prior to the Cougars, Hunter spent two seasons at UC Riverside including as an assistant coach in 2020-21 where he helped guide the Highlanders to their most successful season in program history.

“It has always been a goal of mine to be able to come back and coach at Saint Mary’s under coach Bennett,” Hunter said. “This College has always been part of me since graduating in 2010. The program is in a great place and I can’t wait to contribute right away to our future success.”

 
In addition to his coaching duties, Hunter was charged with handling UC Riverside’s academics, coordinating schedules and team activities. In 2019-20 the Highlanders posted an impressive 3.18 team GPA while in 2020-21 UC Riverside put two on the Big West Winter All-Academic team.
 
Before beginning his college coaching career Hunter started his coaching career in the AAU and high school ranks at Kennedy HS, Oakland Technical HS, James Logan HS, and Miramonte HS as well as leading AAU’s West Coast Elite Basketball Nor-Cal.

 
As a player, Hunter was a standout combo guard with the Gaels, where he helped lead SMC to three postseason appearances including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2010 as a senior. He graduated with a degree in communications in 2010 before beginning his coaching career.

He has two children, Maliya and Wayne Darion, with his wife Melissa.

#GaelsRise – Join the men's basketball waitlist HERE to receive 2021-22 season ticket information, as Saint Mary's welcomes fans back to University Credit Union Pavilion this season. Call the SMC Ticket Office at 925-631-4689, email smctickets@stmarys-ca.edu or click the ticket link above for more information…Saint Mary’s Basketball…Together Again.