Aug. 22, 2008

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin head basketball coach Danny Kaspar announced Friday the promotion of Brette Tanner to assistant head coach. Tanner has served as Kaspar's top assistant each of the last two seasons.

"Brette has come aboard our program and helped me a great deal in his two years here," Kaspar said Monday. "This is my way of showing him gratitude for his time, efforts and coaching skills. His recruiting, as well as his on-floor coaching, have been instrumental in our recent success."

In Tanner's two years with the program, the Lumberjacks have posted a combined record of 41-20. That mark includes a 2007-08 campaign that will go on the books as one of the best in program history. SFA went 26-6 on the season, capturing a share of the first Southland Conference championship in school history and earning a post-season berth for the first time since 1987. The Lumberjacks reached the National Invitation Tournament, where they were defeated in the first round by host team U-Mass. The Minutemen went on to earn a spot in the tournament's championship game.

While the 2007-08 season generated plenty of excitement between the lines, the Lumberjack recruiting classes have been getting their fare share of attention off the court since Tanner's arrival. SFA's Fall 2007 early signing class was dubbed the best in the Southland Conference by HoopScoop.com and Rivals.com. The eight-man class signed the previous year was ranked No. 61 in the nation and No. 5 in Texas by HoopScoop.com.

Tanner and his wife, Lindsey, have two children: 5-year-old Colby and Carson, who is three.

-- SFA --