Head Coach
Brian Barone
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Verified 2026-08-15 from this program's own staff page. Staff change during the recruiting cycle, so confirm before sending outreach.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Barone | Head Coach | coachbbarone@siue.edu |
| Ryan Hellenthal | Associate Head Coach | rhellen@siue.edu |
| Garret Covington | Assistant Coach | gcoving@siue.edu |
| Jacob Whitehead | Assistant Coach | jwhiteh@siue.edu |
| Edwind McGhee | Assistant Coach | edmcghe@siue.edu |
| Mike Waldo | Special Assistant to the Head Coach | mwaldo@siue.edu |
| Gage Harrelson | Graduate Assistant | riharre@siue.edu |
| Ian Harwood | Graduate Assistant | iharwoo@siue.edu |
About SIU Edwardsville Cougars Basketball
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville competes in the competitive Ohio Valley Conference while maintaining a strong commitment to academic excellence. Head coach Brian Barone leads a program focused on developing student-athletes who thrive both in the classroom and on the court. The Cougars program emphasizes disciplined basketball fundamentals, defensive intensity, and building character within a supportive team environment. SIUE offers recruits the opportunity to compete at the NCAA Division I level without sacrificing educational quality, drawing from a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Located in Illinois near major metropolitan areas, the program benefits from excellent facilities and a campus culture that prioritizes the student-athlete experience. High school players interested in joining a program that values both athletic development and academic growth should reach out to Coach Barone's staff to learn how SIUE can provide the platform for success at the next level.
Competing at the D1 level means your recruitment timeline, film quality, and academic eligibility all need to align precisely. Learn how to get recruited to play college basketball and what it really takes to earn a look from a program at this level. Once you're in contact, a strong highlight film is the single most important asset you can send a coaching staff.
What Recruits Should Know About Targeting SIU Edwardsville Cougars
D1 coaches build rosters through consistent evaluation of film, in-person scouting at exposure events, and referrals from trusted coaching networks. Getting on SIU Edwardsville Cougars's radar requires more than sending a generic email. It means having your film, eligibility paperwork, and academic transcripts ready before you make first contact.
Players who receive roster consideration at the D1 level demonstrate improvement over time, not just raw talent at a single event. A structured development program that tracks your progress and connects you with the right coaches can significantly accelerate your recruiting timeline.
Coach Connections That Open Doors to SIU Edwardsville Cougars
FCP's coaching staff maintains relationships with programs across D1, built through years of placing players at the college level. When an FCP coach calls a staff member at SIU Edwardsville Cougars, that call gets returned. Those coach-to-coach referrals are often what converts a prospect from "film received" to "offer extended."
Our post-graduate program leverages those connections to create real recruiting opportunities for players who have done the work to be ready. Apply to FCP and join a program with a track record of college placements.
Whether you're a current high school player exploring options through our high school program or a graduate looking for a post-grad year, FCP provides the coaching, competition, and college placement support to help you reach programs like SIU Edwardsville Cougars.
D1 Programs Like SIU Edwardsville Cougars Are Recruiting Right Now
D1 coaches fill roster spots on a rolling basis, and the best opportunities go to players who are already prepared when a need opens up. FCP builds readiness so you can respond to SIU Edwardsville Cougars and programs like it at the right moment.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-08-13.