ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western assistant men’s basketball coach Aaron Coombs has accepted the head coaching position at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
“The last five years at Missouri Western have been some of the best years of my life,” Coombs said. “The people of St. Joseph and Missouri Western are nothing short of extraordinary. Through the ups and downs, my family has always been treated with respect and love.”
“I want to thank director of athletics Josh Looney for believing in me and giving me a chance to stay on during the transition of coaches. I would like to thank all the players that gave everything they had to our program and to Griffon Nation. Lastly, I would like to thank coach (Brett) Weiberg and coach (Sundance) Wicks for allowing me to work with them and help build their programs. Missouri Western will always have a special place in my family’s heart and we will forever be Griffons.”
Coombs spent five seasons (2013-18) as the top men’s assistant at MWSU. He came to Missouri Western after one season as assistant coach at Missouri S&T. Prior to Missouri S&T, Coombs spent two seasons as Brett Weiberg’s assistant at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma. Coombs’ wife, Signe, has been the director of athletics academic services at MWSU since 2016 and was recently named MWSU’s senior woman administrator.
“Griffon Athletics is thrilled that the Coombs family has received this exciting new opportunity. Aaron’s integrity, loyalty and steadiness were constant during the recent leadership transition within our men’s basketball program,” Looney said. “Likewise, Signe’s elevation to senior woman administrator this academic year allowed her to lead several new projects and take on larger roles within the administration of our athletic department. Both Signe and Aaron have a special gift to connect with student-athletes in an incredible way. Oklahoma Panhandle State is adding a first-class athletics family.”
Oklahoma Panhandle State, and NIAIA member, is located in Goodwell, Oklahoma and plays in the Sooner Athletic Conference. A search for the Coombs’s replacements will begin immediately.
— MWSU Athletics —