Alabama basketball assistant Bryan Hodgson hired as Arkansas State head coach
Alabama basketball's coaching staff will look much different in 2023-24 after losing a second assistant coach on Wednesday.
Assistant Bryan Hodgson is Arkansas State's next men's basketball coach, the school announced.
"I want to thank Coach Oats, Greg Byrne, and everyone with the University of Alabama for an amazing four years," Hodgson said in a statement released by Arkansas State. "The University of Alabama is a special place, with amazing people, and I wouldn't have had this opportunity without Coach Oats and the Alabama family. While I am excited about my future in Jonesboro, we have unfinished business here, and I'm eager to coach these young men for a few more games."
Hodgson is the second assistant under coach Nate Oats to have earned a head coaching opportunity elsewhere this season. Charlie Henry is headed to Georgia Southern.
At Arkansas State, Hodgson will reunite with athletic director Jeff Purinton, the former Alabama executive deputy director of athletics who oversaw men's basketball at one point.
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In Hodgson, the Crimson Tide loses an elite recruiter. In the 2022 class that was ranked No. 3 in the country by the 247Sports Composite, Hodgson was the primary recruiter for Brandon Miller, Jaden Bradley, Rylan Griffen and Nick Pringle. Miller was named SEC player of the year as a freshman and Bradley made the All-SEC freshman team.
Hodgson was one of Oats' first hires as he took over the Alabama program ahead of the 2019-20 season. Hodgson also coached with Oats at Buffalo, where Hodgson spent four seasons and led recruiting efforts.
"I couldn't be happier for Bryan to earn this tremendous opportunity at Arkansas State," Oats said in a statement. "He has been with me every step of the way and is one of the most loyal guys I know. Bryan is not only one of the top recruiters in the country, but he is also a terrific coach who understands the game."
Alabama is a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and is set to face No. 5 seed San Diego State on Friday (5:30 p.m., TBS) in Louisville as part of the Sweet 16.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama basketball assistant coach Bryan Hodgson to lead Arkansas State
