Former Players Bring Passion and Experience to Men's Basketball Coaching Staff

Former players bring passion and experience to LSU Men’s Basketball coaching staff  

LSU Head Men’s Basketball Coach Matt McMahon has made a significant effort to bring back former players to mentor the roster. The basketball staff currently has three former players serving in full-time positions and two more serving in off-court roles this season.

“I think really outside of North Carolina and Duke, I don’t know if there is a coaching staff in America that has more representation of former players than we do at LSU,” said McMahon. “I think that means a lot for the pride and the passion that they have for those three letters on the front of the Jersey.”

General Manager Ronald Dupree played at LSU from 1999-2003, highlighted by a Sweet Sixteen birth in 2000. Dupree went on to have an 11-year pro career before joining the Milwaukee Bucks front office. In a newly created position, Dupree hopes to assist the program in roster construction, player evaluation, and player development.

Tasmin Mitchell, a member of the 2006 Final Four team, enters his ninth season on staff. Mitchell currently serves as an assistant coach and Director of Player Personnel, his fourth position within the program since 2017. A native of Denham Springs, Mitchell was named a McDonald's All-American before joining the Tigers. Mitchell remains No. 3 on the all-time leading scorers list.

Jalen Courtney-Williams, who played for the Tigers from 2010 to 2013, joined McMahon’s staff in the 2024-2025 season. He serves as an assistant coach, returning to LSU after a three-year stint at Creighton, where the Bluejays reached the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons.

Keith Hornsby and Marcus Thornton return to Baton Rouge in off-court roles, mentoring players and assisting in player development. Hornsby played a key role in the Tigers’ offense from 2014-2016. Hornsby went on to have a professional career spanning from 2016-2022.

Thorton, a former SEC Player of the Year, played for the Tigers from 2007 to 2009. He went on to become a second-round pick of the Miami Heat in 2009. Thorton played for seven NBA teams during his career, highlighted by his time playing for the Sacramento Kings, where he averaged 18.7 points in the 2011-12 season.

Photo credit: Brendan Baldwin, Stephen Bayog, and Mitchell Scaglione.

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