<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ixaeq_0wBxNIqi00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ixaeq_0wBxNIqi00" width="800" height="450" >GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University men's basketball team has added two new assistant coaches ahead of the 2024-25 season as announced by head coach Burt Paddock. Grant Soffer and Myles Belyeu are the new members of the Panther coaching staff, assisting Paddock as he enters his 17th season at the helm of the program.Soffer comes to Grand Rapids from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, where he was an assistant coach from 2022-24. Soffer has also served as an assistant coach at Defiance College in 2021-22, at Northwest Kansas Technical College for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons and at the New Mexico Military Institute in 2018-19. "We took an extended period of time to get Coach Grant in place," Paddock said. "As we worked our way through the applications and interviews it was important that we did not rush and just hire 'a coach' but to get the right guy in place that fits the needs of our program and student-athletes. Immediately, Grant has proven to be a terrific addition in the short time he has been on campus. Coach Grant has immersed himself into the program by building strong relationships with our current players and playing a vital role as our offensive coordinator. We are excited to welcome Grant and his family (Chelcie and children Peyton and Zaiden) to West Michigan, and we look forward to his contributions in the upcoming year as we strive to get back to another GLIAC Championship."At Defiance, Soffer helped lead the Yellow Jackets to an 11-11 overall record, including a 9-6 mark in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action. Defiance reached the HCAC Tournament as the #3 seed. The Yellow Jackets had two players recognized by the HCAC on the All-Conference Teams at the end of the season.Belyeu is a familiar face to the DU basketball program, as he was on the squad for the previous two seasons. The Cleveland, Ohio native was a key member of the 2023-24 Davenport men's basketball squad, as he led the team in rebounds per game (5.4), assists per game (2.8) and steals per game (1.1). He also was second on the team in scoring, putting up 11.8 points per contest. "We were ecstatic to be able to keep Myles on staff at the conclusion of his playing career," Paddock said. "Although his last year playing did not go as he had planned due to many injuries and setbacks, Myles is a winner. He is an incredible resource for student-athletes and has done a terrific job transitioning from player to coach. He spends an inordinate amount of time in the office with our players and is always available for them. Myles will be our defensive coordinator for the upcoming season but, just like Coach Soffer, he will oversee a variety of important tasks to help our program get back to a championship level."Prior to DU, Belyeu spent three seasons at Saginaw Valley State, where he was a three-time All-GLIAC performer. In his best season with the Cards, he averaged 21 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore (2019-20) and earned All-Midwest Region Second Team honors. Paddock, Soffer and Belyeu will coach their first official game together against William Jewell on Friday, Nov. 8 at the DU Student Center in Grand Rapids, Mich. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Soffer, Belyeu Join Men’s Basketball Coaching Staff

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University men's basketball team has added two new assistant coaches ahead of the 2024-25 season as announced by head coach Burt Paddock. Grant Soffer and Myles Belyeu are the new members of the Panther coaching staff, assisting Paddock as he enters his 17th season at the helm of the program.