Western Michigan University and Dwayne Stephens, the head men’s basketball coach, are pleased to announce the addition of Shayne Whittington, a WMU alum and former Indiana Pacer, to the team’s coaching staff.
Coach Stephens conveyed his excitement for the new hire, expressing that “Shayne is a significant addition to our staff. From his playing days to coaching, Shayne has remarkable experience and understands what it takes to succeed at the highest level. He will serve as an excellent mentor to our current student-athletes and will further strengthen our relationships with alumni, the community, and donors. We are thrilled to welcome Shayne back home!”
Whittington established himself as a standout player for the Broncos from 2009-14, accumulating 1,119 career points and 737 rebounds. His impressive 130 career blocks rank third all-time at Western Michigan, and his 27 double-doubles place him sixth in the program’s history. Hailing from Paw Paw, Mich., Whittington earned a Bachelor of Science degree from WMU in 2014.
During his time at WMU, Whittington received two All-MAC honours and was named to the First Team in his senior year in 2013-14. He played a key role in leading the Broncos to a remarkable 23-10 season, marking the third-most wins in program history. His contributions also contributed to securing a MAC Regular Season title with a 14-4 conference mark. Additionally, his standout performance in the MAC Tournament Championship Game, where he scored 20 points and added 13 rebounds, propelled Western Michigan to secure their second MAC Tournament title and fourth-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Following his college career, Whittington signed with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, becoming the sixth former Bronco to play in an NBA game. He played in 27 games for the Pacers during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons before continuing his professional career overseas, competing in Spain, Russia, and Japan.
After his successful playing career, Whittington transitioned to coaching and recently served as a team assistant for the Indiana Pacers. During his tenure, the franchise achieved its first winning record since the 2019-20 season and made its first playoff appearance. Notably, Indiana also advanced to the championship game of the inaugural NBA Cup and made a commendable run to the Eastern Conference Finals during the playoffs.
Shayne Whittington’s return to WMU as an assistant coach is anticipated to bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and mentorship to the team. The university and the men’s basketball program eagerly welcome back one of their own, eager to witness the impact he will make in this new role.