Two former Quincy University assistant men’s basketball coaches hired to lead Division I programs

QUINCY – Two former Quincy University assistant men’s basketball coaches have been hired to lead NCAA Division I programs.

Jon Perry, an assistant to former QU coach Marty Bell from 2010-13, has been named the head coach at Navy. Tim Bergstraser, who spent one season on Ryan Hellenthal’s staff, will take over at the University of Denver.

Perry just completed his 12^th season at Navy and was responsible for developing the Midshipmen’s offensive game plan, opponent scouting and film breakdown. Additionally, he has served as the recruiting coordinator while also being charged with scheduling nonconference opponents and overseeing NCAA rules compliance.

He replaces Ed DeChellis, who retired March 19 after 14 seasons at the school. Perry played for DeChellis at East Tennessee State and was a graduate assistant there for two years after his playing career ended in 2002. He then rejoined DeChellis, who had moved to Penn State in 2003.

Perry left Penn State after the 2009-10 season to become an assistant coach at QU. He was the lead assistant for three seasons, during which time the program compiled an overall record of 46-35.

The Hawks were co-champions of Great Lakes Valley Conference North Division in 2010-11, after which he was elevated to associate head coach.

Navy finished with a 15-19 overall record this season. The Midshipmen finished in a three-way tie for third place in the Patriot League and reached the conference championship game, losing to American. Navy has not won the league since 1997-98.

Denver hired Bergstraser following his successful three-year run at Division II Minnesota State University Moorhead.

He takes over for Jeff Wulbrun after the school and Wulbrun parted ways last month. The Pioneers went 11-21 this season, including a 5-11 mark in Summit League play.

Bergstraser led MSUM to a 75-22 mark over his three years there, winning 25 games each season. The Dragons reached the NCAA Central Regional final in March for the first time in a decade.

Prior to taking over as head coach, Bergstraser served as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, MSUM and Quincy University.

The Hawks went 9-18 in his lone season at QU in 2017-18, Hellenthal’s first year as head coach. He returned to MSUM as an assistant before being elevated to head coach in 2022.

MSUM was ranked No. 1 in the NABC Coaches’ poll after a 14-0 start in his second season.

Meanwhile, Denver has not posted a winning record since going 16-14 during the 2016-17 season.

Wulbrun, who posted a record of 53-74 in four seasons, was placed on leave on Feb. 21. He guided the Pioneers to within one win of their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2023-24 when they reached the Summit League title game for the first time since 2005.