Lohrey approved as NMJC men's head basketball coach

HOBBS, N.M. — The New Mexico Junior College Board of Directors at its monthly board meeting Tuesday approved Brian Lohrey as the men's basketball program's eighth head coach in the school's 50-year history.

Lohrey served as the NMJC men's assistant coach the previous three years – going 77-23 and getting the Thunderbirds to the NJCAA National Tournament twice (the first time the program has been to the event in 17 years).

"This is a wonderful opportunity for me, and I am thrilled the board, President (Steve) McCleery and Athletic Director Jeremy Capo have the confidence in me to lead these student-athletes as head coach," Lohrey said. "New Mexico Junior College has been my home for three years, and I am honored and privileged to be involved with a college that believes in helping students succeed."

Lohrey takes over for James Miller, who after three years as head coach and three as an assistant at NMJC accepted a position as assistant coach at University of Nebraska Omaha earlier in the month.

During the three years with Miller as head coach and Lohrey as the assistant, 20 NMJC players have signed with Division I schools, including to conferences such as the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12, Atlantic 10, West Coast Conference, Mountain West Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Summit.

"Brian has proven himself for the last three years in being a leader for our men's basketball team," said Jeremy Capo, NMJC athletic director. "He is a great mentor for the student-athletes, and understands the goals of NMJC in helping these students academically and on the court, to be the best they can be. I am proud that Brian continues to be part of our team in an even bigger role than before."

Prior to NMJC, Lohrey was an assistant coach at Central Missouri and Dallas Baptist and played at Colorado State and Dallas Baptist.

NMJC's Board also approved the promotion of Shaun Gutting as assistant men's basketball coach. 

Gutting joined NMJC in August 2013 as a volunteer assistant for the men's basketball team. He has been pivotal in working with the student-athletes to guide them both on and off the court, plus assisting the team to reach the national tournament.

"The prospect of now being assistant coach is one I've dreamed of," Gutting said. "I'm looking forward to working with the student-athletes in an even greater capacity than before."