MOREHEAD, Ky.— Morehead State men’s basketball coach
Donnie Tyndall announced Thursday that Joseph Price has been hired as an assistant men’s basketball coach.
Price will be responsible for assisting in all aspects of Eagle basketball, including recruiting, scouting and game preparation and player development. He joins the MSU staff after stints on the Ball State and IUPUI coaching staffs and a successful playing career.
“We are very pleased to add Joseph to our Morehead State University basketball family,” Tyndall said. “He brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to our program – after playing for 13 years professionally, he can share many different experiences with our players that will benefit each of them. Joseph has also built a reputation as a very good recruiter. I believe Joseph will be a great role model for our student-athletes and is a great addition to Morehead State University and our community.”
Price recently concluded his third season with head coach Billy Taylor at Ball State, where he helped the Cardinals claim the Mid-American Conference West Division in 2008-09 and played a pivotal role in recruiting. That year’s recruiting class was ranked in the top 80 by hoopmasters.com.
“I am very excited and honored that coach Tyndall has given me a great opportunity to come in and help his staff continue the success of the men’s basketball program,” Price said. “The OVC is one of the top mid-major conferences in the country and Morehead State has proven itself to be a leader in the conference. I look forward to joining the community and working with the players and the entire Morehead State University athletic staff and administration.”
Price spent five seasons as an assistant coach at IUPUI prior to Ball State. At IUPUI, Price's primary role included player development, opponent scouting and recruiting, while also working with the post players along with individual defensive and shooting instruction. In 2005-06, IUPUI was among the nation's best free throw shooting teams, and in 2004-05, the Jaguars' Brandon Cole and Akeem Clark teamed to create one of the most formidable three-point shooting duos in the country.
In addition to his prowess at instructing guards and teaching shooting, he has played a role in the development of post skills as well. His work with 2003 Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Year Odell Bradley allowed Bradley to develop into an inside-outside threat as a senior.
He was named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame's 2007 Men's Silver Anniversary Team which recognizes outstanding high school graduates from 25 years earlier. Price is well respected among his basketball peers for his ability to shoot and teach up-and-coming players the fundamentals of shooting.
Locally active in his communities, Price has made numerous speaking appearances all over the state of Indiana including to youth groups prior to Indiana Fever games at Conseco Fieldhouse. He was a motivational speaker for the Executive Service Corps of Indiana through the United Way, speaking to students about athletics and academics.
Price played collegiately at Notre Dame for coach Digger Phelps (current ESPN Analyst). He also played for a core of talented assistant coaches in Pete Gillen (Virginia), Jim Baron (Rhode Island) and Gary Brokaw (NBA's Charlotte Bobcats). Following his senior season, he was chosen in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets in the seventh round.
The Irish went 84-37 with Price on the roster, including a run to the postseason National Invitational Tournament (NIT) finals his sophomore year. During his senior season, when he averaged a career-best 6.2 points per game as the first off the bench, the Irish ranked as high as tenth in The Associated Press poll. When he finished he ranked fifth all-time at Notre Dame in career games played (115). He now stands 16th in that category in the Irish record books.
The 6-foot-5 Price played professionally overseas in France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Spain. He also instructed at the Swiss All-Star Basketball Camps every summer during his playing career. With St. Prex in 1987-88, Price helped the basketball club to the Switzerland Second Division League-B Championship. He also played with Dallas Mavericks' star forward Dirk Nowitzki in Germany for DJK S. Oliver Wurzburg in 1998-99.
Prior to college, Price excelled on the hardwood at Marion High School in Marion, Ind. He was a three-time All-North Central Conference selection for Indiana Hall of Fame coach Bill Green. He also served as team captain and was a member of the Indiana All-Star Team and a Mr. Basketball candidate as a senior.
He was the junior varsity coach at Indianapolis Manual High School in 2001-02.
Price received his bachelor's degree in sociology from Notre Dame in 1986. He has one daughter, Naomi.
