Welcome, Steve Lepore!

Word is now out that coach Dan Earl has hired assistant Steve Lepore to his staff. Lepore comes to VMI from Hargrave Military Academy located in Chatham, Virginia. Lepore was with the Tigers for two seasons, the most recent of which saw Hargrave go 14–11 overall and 8–4 in region play. Previously, they were 14–9 (9–3). The hire was originally reported by HoopDirt.com and "unofficially officially" confirmed last Tuesday.

Can't express how thankful I am to have the opportunity to coach basketball at VMI. Really excited about being a part of the VMI family!

— Steve Lepore (@LeporeSteve) May 19, 2015

Lepore played basketball at Wake Forest and graduated in 2003. Actually he played his freshman and sophomore year at Northwestern before transferring to the Demon Deacons. As a freshman Lepore 10.5 PPG and played in 28 contests. The next season, he averaged 9.2 PPG and started all 30 games for the Wildcats before sitting out the next season due to NCAA transfer rules. In his junior year Lepore averaged just 4.5 points per contest in thirteen minutes/game on a much more competitive Wake Forest team. Injuries derailed his senior season and he saw action in just 18 games, starting none.

Lepore attended St. Edward High School in North Olmsted, Ohio. As a senior he was honorable mention All-American on the team that won the Ohio state championship (in a state filled with elite basketball talent, no less).

No official statement has been made by VMI but I would anticipate one coming soon (wonder what's taking so long?) In any case, Coach Earl has now filled the void of two assistant coaches, with Ben Thompson the only leftover from Duggar's tenure, and now has one more to find. No word on who it might be. As far as the hire goes, I would've preferred we get a guy with some collegiate coaching experience (as a head or assistant), but his credentials seem to fit VMI quite nicely. We will see how it plays out in six months.