Darren Angell accepted the position of assistant to the head coach in August of 2022 after serving as director of operations and analytics at Indiana State in 2021-22. He joined the Sycamores’ staff with three years of coaching experience at the Division I level, previously serving in an operations role at Chicago State University.
“Darren is going to be a great addition to our staff,” Richey commented at the time of the hiring. “He brings a unique skill set to our program with a background in coaching as well as in the private sector. His blended experience will give us great perspective inside our program but will also allow us the ability to serve our current stakeholders better and create new relationships as we continue building the program. College basketball is built on interpersonal relationships, and anytime you can invest in staff to expand our ability to serve our campus, community, and fan base, it only helps the program. We are excited to add Darren, his wife Julie, and their daughter Ellie to the Furman family.”
In Angell's first season as a member of the staff, the Paladins notched a school-record 28 victories, highlighted by an 88-79 triumph over Chattanooga in the SoCon Championship game and a 68-67 victory over No. 4 seed Virginia in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Orlando, Fla. Seniors Mike Bothwell and Jalen Slawson both garnered first team All-SoCon accolades for the second straight year and were named finalists for the Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year Award. Slawson earned SoConPlayer of the Year honors and was selected to play in the NABC Reese’s College All-Star Game before being taken in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. Bothwell inked a free agent deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers in June.
During his first year on staff at Chicago State, the Cougars finished third in the Western Athletic Conference and posted their highest win total since the 2008-09 season, including a signature win over the eventual WAC champions, New Mexico State. Chicago State’s 13 wins were the fourth most since it started participating in Division I in 1984.
From 2014-16, Angell also gained experience in player development, working with multiple NBA first round draft picks, including Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart. He spent time conducting individual and small group NBA Pre-Draft workouts during multiple NBA Combines in Chicago.
Angell also practiced law in Chicago for seven years, advising professional basketball players throughout their careers, as well as counseling universities on NCAA eligibility requirements and other compliance related matters. He received a bachelor’s degree in Sports Business from Mercyhurst University in 2007 and a J.D. from the University of Kansas in 2012. While at Mercyhurst, Angell was a member of the men’s basketball team, serving as team captain during his senior year.
Angell and his wife, Julie, have one daughter, Ellie.
