Bio

Coach Stephens begins his fifth season with Central Connecticut State University in 2022-23.  Stephens’ primary responsibilities include recruiting coordinating, film library management, and coaching the wing players.

Prior to CCSU, Stephens spent the 2017-2018 Season at NCAA Division III member Southern Virginia University.  There, he helped the Knights post their best season since 2011.  After winning just 18 games the prior three seasons combined, the Knights went 12-13 and just missed the Capital Athletic Conference tournament.  Stephens handled scouting, coached the guards, and handled the academic monitoring program.  On the court the Knights improved in many areas including scoring, shooting percentage, rebounds, and points allowed per game. 

Before Southern Virginia, Stephens was the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at NCAA Division III member Mary Baldwin University.  Prior to his arrival, the program had lost 78 consecutive games and he was the third coach in 4 seasons.  In his two seasons leading program, the Fighting Squirrels returned to respectability quickly, not only winning games on the floor but winning off the floor as well.  Mary Baldwin would travel to play the University of Maryland in 2017 which was the first exhibition game ever for the program against an NCAA Division I opponent.  His teams would post back to back seasons of improved statistics in at least 12 statistical categories.  MBU’s shooting percentage improved for both seasons and that was first time the entire decade.  Stephens landed multiple key recruits during his time there.  Off the court, the Fighting Squirrels were more involved in the community as Stephens led service projects to assist the homeless, and adults with special needs in addition to the conference projects.  In the classroom, the program was excellent as 7 student-athletes made the USA South All-Academic team

He has NCAA Division I experience prior to his time at Central having served as Women’s Basketball Director of Operations for Texas Southern University during the 2011-2012 Season.

Before MBU, he spent time coaching at the middle school and high school levels in Texas.  In total, Stephens has 11 years of experience coaching at the secondary level with five full seasons as a Head Girls’ Basketball Coach.  In those five seasons, his teams reached the post-season and won at least one post-season game.  During the 2012-2013 Season, Stephens led Northeast Christian Academy in Kingwood, Texas to their best season in history at the time with a record of 14-5, and their first ever TAPPS Middle School District Championship.  The program has posted a 2-14 record the season before. 

At Globe High School in Arizona from 2005 to 2007, Stephens led the program to a resurgence.  His teams went 41-19 during his tenure and reached the State Sweet 16 in 2006 and the Elite 8 in 2007.  His team was ranked as high as 2^nd in the 3A Classification during the 2006-2007 campaign and that was the highest ranking for the program at that point since 1999. 

For the 2002-2003 Season, Stephens was at Landmark Christian School in Georgia.  There, he led the program to a 12-15 record reaching the Regional Quarterfinals of the State Tournament.  The program was ranked as high as 7^th in the 1A Classification during the season even though he had to replace 80% of the offense from the season before.

Stephens also served as the Assistant Coach for three seasons at NJCAA Division I member Panola Junior College in Texas from 2008-2011.  During that time 17 student-athletes moved on to four-year institutions to continue their careers, the team reached the NJCAA Division I Region 14 Quarterfinals in 2009, and the program was ranked 5^th in the country in GPA in 2010.

When asked about his career, Stephens said, “When people see my story and where I have been, I want them to see what God has done because it is really His story not mine.  I have a wonderful supportive family.  I have met some incredible people.  None of it happens though without Him.”

Coach Stephens resides in Southington with his wife, Rachel, and son, Elijah.