James Madison Dukes finalizes coaching staff

HARRISONBURG, Va., Sept. 18, 2012 - Matt Brady, James Madison men's basketball head coach, on Tuesday announced the addition of Lucious Jordan and Sam Dowell to the program's staff.  Jordan will serve as director of basketball operations for the Dukes while Dowell will fill the role of graduate assistant coach.

"We're excited that Lucious has joined our staff," commented Brady regarding his new operations director.  "He is a former very successful student-athlete who graduated from the University at Albany in 2006.  He clearly understands the demands of a student-athlete and the need to balance your time and your energies between the classroom and the basketball court.  He demonstrated that during his time at Loyola of Maryland and when he transferred home to Albany."

Jordan spent the last few years getting his feet wet in the coaching profession following a successful playing career.  His post-graduate coaching stints have included the Albany City Rocks AAU 16U team and the Green Tech Charter High School freshman squad.  He has also worked as a trainer and skill development coach for Rise Up Basketball in Albany and worked the Nike Youth Pre-Draft Camp. 

Those experiences followed a professional career that included stops with the Emmen Eagles of the Netherlands as well as the Albany Patroons in the Continental Basketball Association.

Brady added of Jordan, "I've known him for some time and have had conversations about joining our staff for about four years.  This was a unique opportunity for him to join our staff and get his foot into the college coaching profession.  I'm excited for our guys because I think they'll look up to him as a mentor and role model of someone who's walked in their shoes before and has had a lot of success."

During his collegiate time split between Albany and Loyola, Jordan amassed 1,420 total points.  His best overall numbers came as a junior in his first season back home in Albany with 413 points, including 48 three-pointers made, while also accumulating 138 rebounds, 65 assists and 40 steals.  He was named Second Team All-Conference in the first of two seasons serving as a team captain.

As a senior, his totals went down in each category, but he showed a marked improvement in percentages with an impressive 30-for-65 (.462) performance from the arc while shooting .431 from the floor.  He posted 270 points, 107 rebounds, 51 assists and 38 steals to lead the Great Danes to their first NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, falling to Connecticut 72-59 in Philadelphia in 2006.

Jordan opened his college career with the Greyhounds of Loyola Maryland, averaging 13.1 points per game as a freshman.  He also posted 48 assists, 120 rebounds and 43 steals en route to All-Rookie honors in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.  His numbers were similar as a sophomore with 13.2 points per game to go with 53 assists, 101 rebounds and .406 shooting from the floor.

 "I am very excited for the opportunity to join the staff here at JMU," commented Jordan.  "I'm looking forward to being an integral part of the 2012-13 campaign and assisting with the future growth of this program."

Jordan achieved his bachelor's degree in communications and sociology from the University at Albany in 2006 and also received a minor in African American studies.

After four years serving as manager for the JMU men's basketball program, Dowell will take the next step in his basketball progression to the position of graduate assistant coach. During his first three seasons assisting Brady's staff, Dowell managed equipment and coordinated practice filming in addition to other various assignments.

As a senior, Dowell worked as head manager for the Dukes, training and coordinating the managerial staff, including the coverage schedule for practices and games.  His game-day role also expanded to include coordinating film exchange.

Dowell also worked as an intern reporter for Digital Sports in Fairfax in 2011.  He provided comprehensive event coverage of track and field meets with recaps, videos and photos published on the company's website. 

From a coaching perspective, Dowell worked as an assistant coach for track and field at East Rockingham High School in Elkton, Va. in 2012, working primarily with hurdles and high jump.  His basketball camp working experience includes Georgetown (2009), Bridgewater (2010), Maryland (2011) and Frostburg State (2009, 2011).

Dowell is a 2012 graduate of JMU with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sport and recreation management as well as minors in business and coaching.

He stated, "I am very thankful for this opportunity to work and learn under Coach Brady and the rest of our tremendous coaching staff. I am looking forward to a great season and can't wait to get started."