Both of Niagara’s post-secondary institutions made significant coaching announcements this week. Photo Credit: Brock University. Pictured: Brock Badgers Volleyball Coach Ian Eibbitt.
In Welland, a former player, turned assistant coach, is now the head coach of the Niagara College Knights Men’s Basketball team.
Lequan Hylton officially took over this week from Phil Mosley, who will retire at the end this month.
A graduate of Protection, Security and Investigation as well as General Business in 2020, Hylton donned a Knights jersey for four seasons and received the following awards: OCAA Second Team All-Star – 2016-2017; OCAA Academic All Canadian – 2016-2017; OCAA Bronze medal – 2018-2019; Team Captain – 2014-2017 and 2019-2020; Team MVP – 2016-2017 and 2019-2020; Team Leadership Awards – 2016-2017 and 2019-2020; Ralph Nero Award – 2016-2017; and Niagara College All-Time Assist Record – 2016-2017.
Hylton joined Coach Mosley’s staff in 2020, and part of his professional development included being part of the inaugural class of the OCAA Mentorship Program in partnership with the Coaches Association of Ontario.
The program is designed to give young coaches experience to prepare them to eventually become a head coach.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to take over the Niagara College men’s basketball program and continue to lead our student athletes to achieve success academically and athletically,” said Hylton. “I am thankful for all the support I have received.”
For Director of Athletics and Student Engagement Michele O’Keefe, the hiring of Hylton is an exciting one, especially being an alumnus and now local to the Niagara region.
“We are proud to have Lequan step into the head coaching role of our Knights team,” said O’Keefe. “As a proud alum, Lequan understands the culture we are working to strengthen at Niagara College and will transition smoothly into this position. His work at the club level will allow him to step right into the recruiting world and no doubt continue to build our strong foundation with our men’s basketball team.”
Hylton is the 13th head coach of the men’s basketball program.
At Brock University, the Badgers appointed Ian Eibbitt as the full-time head coach of the men’s volleyball team after his impressive stint as interim head coach.
“Ian’s dedication and expertise have been instrumental in the resurgence of our men’s volleyball program,” said Melissa Krist, Executive Director of Brock Sports and Recreation.
Eibbitt steered the Badgers to a remarkable return to the OUA post-season.
Under his guidance, Brock secured a third-place finish in the conference’s regular season standings, notching an impressive 15-5 record – the highest victory tally for the program since its resurgence during the 2016-17 season.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to take on the role of head coach for the men’s volleyball program at Brock,” Eibbitt said. “The trust and support from the administration mean a lot to me, and I’m eager to build upon the success we’ve achieved together. I firmly believe in the potential of our student-athletes, and I’m committed to guiding them to even greater success both on and off the court.”
Eibbitt is also a key figure in the development of volleyball talent across Canada, currently serving as the head coach for Team Ontario’s U18 men’s squad in preparation for the highly anticipated 2025 Canada Games.
Both the Knights Men’s Basketball and Badgers Men’s Volleyball teams will resume on campus workouts later this summer.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
