Anthony Beane, formerly a standout player at Kansas State and more recently an assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State, is joining the Illinois State staff as an assistant mens basketball coach.
Beane replaces Alvin Williamson, who resigned earlier this summer to join the staff at Tulane.
I liked a number of things about Anthony, but I am particularly excited about his enthusiasm and his energy level, said ISU head coach Tom Richardson. I also think he has the ability to relate well to players and recruits. He has the understanding you gain from being a player and a coach.
Beane said Illinois States reputation played a role in his decision to move.
The tradition there was a big factor to me, Beane said. Illinois State has always been a great name in basketball.
I also know about Coach Richardson and his background and I am axcited about the program he will build there. That will make it a fun situation to coach in.
The community and the campus also appealed to me. Bloomington-Normal is going to be a good place for us to live and work. We wanted to stay in the midwest so this works out great for us.
A native of Bernie, Mo., Beane played the first two years of his college career at Three Rivers Community College from 1991-92. He led Three Rivers to a national crown and was named to National Junior College Athletic Associations All-America Team.
Beane then went to Kansas State where he was the Big Eight Newcomer of the Year in 1993, a two-time All-Big Eight selection and the Sports Illustrated National Clutch Player of Year.
Following a brief professional career in Europe, Beane was an assistant coach at Allen County (Kan.) Community College from 1995-96 before moving to West Plains Community College the following season. After one year there, he went to Southeast Missouri State, where he was on the staff for three seasons.
His background is varied and I like that, Richardson said. He has recruited the midwest and he knows the junior college ranks.
We just heard a lot of good things about him, which combined with this experience, made him the right pick for us.
SEMO was 24-7 last season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where it dropped a 64-61 decision to Louisiana State in the first round. In 1999, the Indians were 20-9.
Beane hopes to contribute to his new employer in a number of ways.
The first thing you have to have is character, he said. Character and loyalty are very important to me and things that I believe in.
Recruiting is obviously one of the most important things we do. I have a background in St. Louis, Milwaukee, Kansas City and a number of junior colleges, and I am anxious to get into Chicago. With the players, I am a big believer in defense and rebounding, and as a point guard, I know how important it is to take care of the ball.
Beane and his wife Katina are the parents of Anthony, Jr., age 6, and Darius, age eight months.
