THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University Head Men's Basketball Coach Richie Riley announced Monday the addition of Austin Claunch to his coaching staff.
 
"Austin is a young energetic guy with a very bright future in our profession," Riley said. "Our players at Clemson loved being around him because of his extreme positivity. His basketball IQ and ability to teach guys is impressive, especially at such a young age. He is a very good addition to our staff."
 
Claunch comes to Nicholls after spending a season as Assistant Video Services Director for Clemson men's basketball. Claunch spent three seasons with the Tigers overall, having previously served as a graduate manager from 2013-15. Prior to his time with Clemson, Claunch spent the 2012-13 season as the Director of Player Development for George Mason University.
 
Claunch was part of a Clemson staff that saw the Tigers improve by 10 wins over their previous season, compiling a 23-13 overall record. Clemson advanced to the NIT semifinals for the first time since 2007 and won 10 ACC games as well.

He helped Jaron Blossomgame to First Team All-ACC honors and the ACC's Most Improved Player award. The 6-7 forward raised his points-per-game average from 13.1 to 18.7 and his 3-point field goal percentage from 28% to 45% during his junior season. Claunch also helped K.J. McDaniels to a First Team All-ACC junior season. The 6-6 forward was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and declared early for the 2014 NBA Draft.

At George Mason, Claunch worked under former Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Hewitt. He assisted in all areas of individual workouts and practice, in addition to helping with film breakdown and exchange, scouting reports, academic scheduling and updating the team's recruiting database.

Claunch has assisted with various summer camps over the past several years. Each summer from 2007 to 2011, he worked with former NBA player and longtime Head Coach John Lucas at his camps in Houston, Texas. He also interned in the summer of 2010 with Joe Abunassar and Impact Basketball. From 2008-10, Claunch assisted his father's 15U and 16U Adidas Houston Select Basketball Club teams.

Claunch was a four-year starter and two-time captain at Emory University on the Division III level from 2008-12. He ranks first in Emory history in career assists (580), assists per game (5.8) and minutes played (3,132). Claunch is also second in free throw percentage (.877). He was also a three-time All-Conference First Team player at Emory, and a member of the University Athletic Association's 25th Anniversary Team. Claunch set the school's three best single-season assist totals over each of his final three seasons.

He played high school basketball at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in Houston, Texas, and was a three-year starter and two-time team captain. Claunch was also a two-time all-district selection and led Strake Jesuit to the 2008 district crown as a senior. He was a two-time recipient of the Strake's Kenneth McGregor Award, based on his leadership and dedication on and off the court.

The Houston native earned his undergraduate degree in political science, with a minor in religion, from Emory in 2012. Claunch obtained a master's degree in human resource development from Clemson in August 2015.
 
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work under Coach Riley," Claunch said. "It's exciting to have the chance to learn from a rising star in coaching with the passion and enthusiasm that Coach Riley possesses. Nicholls is a special place and the people of Thibodaux have welcomed me with open arms. I am truly blessed to be part of the Nicholls family."
 
THE CLAUNCH FILE
 
HOMETOWN: Houston, Texas
EDUCATION: Emory, 2012 (bachelor's); Clemson, 2015 (master's)
 
COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE
2015-16: Clemson (Assistant Coach)
2013-15: Clemson (Graduate Manager)
2012-13: George Mason University (Assistant Coach)
 
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls men's basketball visit geauxcolonels.com. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_MBB.