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Penn State Elevates Brent Scott to Associate Head Coach, Adds New Staff for 2026-27 Season
Penn State University announced a series of coaching and staff changes for the 2026‑27 men’s basketball season on June 8, 2026. Head coach Mike Rhoades promoted former assistant Brent Scott to associate head coach, added Sam Little as video coordinator and player‑development coach, and named Alex Grumer assistant director of operations. The announcement also shifted Patrick Dorney to chief of staff and moved Jake Szczecina into the director of operations role.
Scott’s promotion comes as he enters his fourth season with the Nittany Lions. He served as an assistant coach from 2023‑26 and has been the front‑court coach for the program. Scott’s recruiting network spans domestic and international markets, and he was a key figure in the signing and development of first‑round NBA draft pick Yanic Konan Niederhäuser. Prior to joining Penn State, Scott worked under head coach Mike Rhoades at VCU (2017‑23) and Rice (2016‑17).
Sam Little joins Penn State after two seasons as an assistant coach and video coordinator at Western Michigan. Little’s previous experience includes a 2023‑24 season as video coordinator at Stanford. In his new role, Little will oversee video production and player‑development programming, supporting the coaching staff’s preparation and game‑analysis efforts.
Alex Grumer, a Penn State alumnus, has spent the past three seasons as a student manager for the Nittany Lions, including the 2025‑26 season as head student manager. Grumer’s responsibilities in the assistant director of operations position will include coordination of travel, logistics, and operational support for the team.
Patrick Dorney, who has served as director of operations for the past three seasons, will transition to chief of staff. In this capacity, Dorney will provide strategic oversight for the coaching staff and assist with program administration. Jake Szczecina, who has been involved in operations work, will assume the director of operations title.
The staff changes reflect Rhoades’ emphasis on continuity and internal development. Rhoades, hired in March 2023, has overseen a rebuilding phase for the program, which competes in the Big Ten Conference and plays home games at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Nittany Lions have a history of NCAA tournament appearances, most recently in 2023, and the coaching staff’s stability is viewed as a foundation for future competitiveness.
Scott’s elevation to associate head coach is expected to strengthen the front‑court coaching and recruiting pipeline. The program’s front‑court development has been a focus, and Scott’s experience at VCU and Rice, combined with his recruiting ties, positions him to continue that trajectory.
Little’s addition brings a fresh perspective from the West Coast, where he worked at Stanford and Western Michigan. His role will support the coaching staff’s video analysis, a critical component of modern basketball preparation.
Grumer’s promotion from student manager to assistant director of operations underscores the program’s commitment to internal advancement. His familiarity with the team’s logistics and operations will aid in the smooth execution of travel, scheduling, and other operational tasks.
The title changes for Dorney and Szczecina streamline the program’s administrative structure. Dorney’s new chief of staff role will allow him to focus on broader strategic initiatives, while Szczecina’s director of operations position will concentrate on day‑to‑day operational responsibilities.
These staff updates come ahead of the 2026‑27 season, which will begin in November and feature a schedule that includes conference play and non‑conference opponents. The Nittany Lions aim to build on the progress made under Rhoades, with the new staff structure intended to support player development, recruiting, and operational efficiency.
In summary, Penn State’s coaching and staff changes for the upcoming season include the promotion of Brent Scott to associate head coach, the addition of Sam Little and Alex Grumer, and the re‑designation of Patrick Dorney and Jake Szczecina. The moves are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the program’s coaching depth, recruiting reach, and operational support as the team prepares for the 2026‑27 season.
Scott’s promotion comes as he enters his fourth season with the Nittany Lions. He served as an assistant coach from 2023‑26 and has been the front‑court coach for the program. Scott’s recruiting network spans domestic and international markets, and he was a key figure in the signing and development of first‑round NBA draft pick Yanic Konan Niederhäuser. Prior to joining Penn State, Scott worked under head coach Mike Rhoades at VCU (2017‑23) and Rice (2016‑17).
Sam Little joins Penn State after two seasons as an assistant coach and video coordinator at Western Michigan. Little’s previous experience includes a 2023‑24 season as video coordinator at Stanford. In his new role, Little will oversee video production and player‑development programming, supporting the coaching staff’s preparation and game‑analysis efforts.
Alex Grumer, a Penn State alumnus, has spent the past three seasons as a student manager for the Nittany Lions, including the 2025‑26 season as head student manager. Grumer’s responsibilities in the assistant director of operations position will include coordination of travel, logistics, and operational support for the team.
Patrick Dorney, who has served as director of operations for the past three seasons, will transition to chief of staff. In this capacity, Dorney will provide strategic oversight for the coaching staff and assist with program administration. Jake Szczecina, who has been involved in operations work, will assume the director of operations title.
The staff changes reflect Rhoades’ emphasis on continuity and internal development. Rhoades, hired in March 2023, has overseen a rebuilding phase for the program, which competes in the Big Ten Conference and plays home games at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Nittany Lions have a history of NCAA tournament appearances, most recently in 2023, and the coaching staff’s stability is viewed as a foundation for future competitiveness.
Scott’s elevation to associate head coach is expected to strengthen the front‑court coaching and recruiting pipeline. The program’s front‑court development has been a focus, and Scott’s experience at VCU and Rice, combined with his recruiting ties, positions him to continue that trajectory.
Little’s addition brings a fresh perspective from the West Coast, where he worked at Stanford and Western Michigan. His role will support the coaching staff’s video analysis, a critical component of modern basketball preparation.
Grumer’s promotion from student manager to assistant director of operations underscores the program’s commitment to internal advancement. His familiarity with the team’s logistics and operations will aid in the smooth execution of travel, scheduling, and other operational tasks.
The title changes for Dorney and Szczecina streamline the program’s administrative structure. Dorney’s new chief of staff role will allow him to focus on broader strategic initiatives, while Szczecina’s director of operations position will concentrate on day‑to‑day operational responsibilities.
These staff updates come ahead of the 2026‑27 season, which will begin in November and feature a schedule that includes conference play and non‑conference opponents. The Nittany Lions aim to build on the progress made under Rhoades, with the new staff structure intended to support player development, recruiting, and operational efficiency.
In summary, Penn State’s coaching and staff changes for the upcoming season include the promotion of Brent Scott to associate head coach, the addition of Sam Little and Alex Grumer, and the re‑designation of Patrick Dorney and Jake Szczecina. The moves are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the program’s coaching depth, recruiting reach, and operational support as the team prepares for the 2026‑27 season.
