by Tom Weber, Associate AD in Communications, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Justin Walker (left) and John Clancy on the sidelines last year at the SIU Arena. (SIU Media Services photo)
CARBONDALE, IL – Southern Illinois men’s basketball coach Barry Hinson announced the promotion of two members of his staff today. Director of operations Justin Walker was promoted to assistant coach, while director of player development John Clancy was elevated to director of operations. An opening on SIU’s staff was created when assistant coach Terrance McGee took a coaching position at the University of Milwaukee.
“First, I want to thank Terrance for his tremendous contributions to Saluki Basketball during the last five years,” Hinson said. “It’s bittersweet for me personally, because I coached Terrance at Missouri State, and he’s been with me since the start of the rebuilding process at SIU. At the same time, he and his wife are both Milwaukee natives, and I’m happy for them to get the opportunity to return home. He’ll be a great asset for Coach Baldwin’s staff.”
Walker enters his fourth season on Hinson’s staff, beginning as a graduate assistant in 2014, before assuming the administrative role of director of operations in 2015. He was responsible for team operations, including team travel, academic support, summer camps and fund-raisers. Those duties now go to Clancy.
“Behind the scenes, Justin has been doing the thankless jobs that no one but the head coach really appreciates,” Hinson said. “At the same time, he’s been involved in every aspect of our program and has earned this opportunity. We’re fortunate to have a coach of his caliber already in our system.”
Clancy joined the staff in 2015 as a graduate assistant before being elevated to director of player development last season. He was instrumental in the development of All-Conference forward Sean O’Brien last year and has helped the program post back-to-back winning seasons.
“As a successful high school coach before coming to Carbondale, John was willing to start over at the bottom of the ladder to achieve his dream of becoming a Division I coach,” Hinson said. “He has all of the qualities you look for in an ascending coach — high basketball IQ, strong organizational skills, and a team-first mentality. I believe he has a bright future in this business.”
