The University of Tulsa Head Basketball Coach Eric Konkol announced appointments to his coaching staff. Joining Konkol are two members from his Louisiana Tech staff – assistant coach Desmond Haymon and director of basketball operations Josh Wolfe.
Haymon and Wolfe each spent three years (2019-22) under Konkol at LA Tech, helping lead the Bulldogs to a 70-26 record for a .729 winning percentage with one postseason appearance during that time.
They were part of a 2021-22 season that saw LA Tech post a 24-10 record while advancing to the Conference USA Tournament championship game after victories over Marshall, Western Kentucky and defending champion North Texas. In doing so, the program became one of only 10 Division I teams in the nation to record back-to-back seasons of 24+ wins.
"I'm thrilled to have both Desmond and Josh join us at The University of Tulsa. Both are tremendous people first, but also exceptional coaches who put the players first. They are dedicated to helping our student athletes become the best versions of themselves while representing the campus and community in a first-class manner," said Konkol.
Desmond Haymon previously spent nine seasons at Stephen F. Austin where he was a player, graduate manager and assistant coach. He worked as an assistant coach for the Lumberjacks for two years (2017-19).
"Desmond has been an integral part of our staff the past three years, and I'm delighted he's joining us here at Tulsa. He's a former Division I player who has played in the NCAA Tournament. He's been a graduate assistant and he's been an assistant coach at successful programs. He'll bring a lot to our program here," Konkol said.
In his first year as an assistant coach in 2017-18, Haymon helped the 'Jacks to a 28-7 overall record, including a program-best 16 home wins, and a Southland Tournament championship which resulted in a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The year culminated with Haymon being named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Under Armour 30-Under-30 list.
From 2014-17, Haymon spent his time at SFA as a graduate assistant/video coordinator. During this time, the 'Jacks won the SLC regular season and tournament titles twice, advancing to the NCAA Tournament on two occasions.
As a student-athlete, Haymon amassed 1,159 career points, graduating as the all-time winningest player in SFA history with 97 victories. As a senior in 2013-14, he led SFA to the school's first NCAA Tournament win when his four-point play with just seconds remaining against VCU sent the game into overtime and the eventual victory.
Haymon, a native of Pickens, Mississippi, received his bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a minor in general business in 2014 before earning a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies in December of 2016, both from Stephen F. Austin.
He and his wife, Chandra, have a son, Desmond, Jr.
"Desmond has a special way of interacting with our players. He's a gifted developer of skills. He has a fantastic ability of connecting with people, both within in our building and out in the community. I think he's a rising star in this profession, and I feel very fortunate to have him join us at TU," added Konkol. "I'm very excited to welcome Dez, his wife Chan (Chandra) and his son DJ (Desmond, Jr.) here to the Tulsa community."
Before coming to LA Tech as the director of basketball operations in 2019, Josh Wolfe spent 18 years as a collegiate assistant coach. He began his career at his alma mater, NCAA DIII Hope College (Mich.), in 2001, where he helped that school to two conference titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Wolfe then coached at Division II Lakeland College for two seasons (2004-06), helping that team to a 21-6 record and conference crown in his second year. He moved to Wisconsin-Parkside for six seasons (2006-12) before moving to Western Illinois in 2012.
Prior to coming to LA Tech, Wolfe coached six seasons at Western Illinois where he served as an associate head coach and assistant coach for the Leathernecks under Billy Wright and Jim Molinari.
Wolfe's sixth year at WIU was highlighted by an upset victory over the three-time reigning Summit League champions South Dakota State in the quarterfinal round of the league tournament, becoming the first No. 8 seed in conference history to defeat the No. 1 seed.
Another marquee win for Wolfe and the Leathernecks came in 2015-16 when they opened the season by knocking off No. 17 Wisconsin on the road. The victory marked the program's first win over a nationally ranked team in the Division I era.
The most successful season at WIU for Wolfe came in 2012-13 when the team earned a share of the Summit League regular season championship while finishing 22-9 overall, recording more wins than any other team in the program's D1 history.
Wolfe earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education from Hope College and a master's in education from Lakeland College.
Wolfe and his wife Molly have two children, Kaelyn and Kaden.
"I've had the great pleasure of working with Josh the past three years. He's added value to our program at Louisiana Tech. I'm excited to work with him here at TU," said Konkol. "He is organized, innovative and has a great way of working with others. His experience as a coach and from different places has helped him find solutions in so many ways for our coaching staff and our players."
"I'm thrilled to have Josh, Molly and their two kids, Kaelyn and Kaden join us here at Tulsa."
Konkol has two full-time assistant coaching positions remaining to be filled for the Golden Hurricane.
