News release from the Mad Ants:
Steve Gansey returns to Fort Wayne as Mad Ants Head Coach
(October 2, 2015) – The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, and the Indiana Pacers announced today that they have named Steve Gansey as Mad Ants head coach for the 2015-16 NBA Development League season.
Gansey returns to Fort Wayne after his stint as an Associate Head Coach with the D-League Canton Charge during the 2014-15 season. He also served the beginning of the D-League’s offseason in a support role, assisting in practices and workouts for the Cleveland Cavaliers during their postseason run.
As for his upcoming return to Fort Wayne, Gansey states, “I’m extremely honored and privileged to be a part of the Pacers organization and named Head Coach of the Mad Ants. I’m looking forward to the opportunity and returning to Fort Wayne, the city where my coaching career first began.”
Entering his seventh season in a coaching role, Gansey’s career with the Mad Ants began back in 2009-10 when he served as one of the team’s basketball interns. After two seasons as the first assistant coach, Gansey took over the interim head coaching role for a portion of the Mad Ants 2011-12 season before returning to his assistant coaching duties that following year. Gansey served a vital role in the development of Mad Ants players such Ron Howard, Darnell Lazare, Rob Kurz and the 2013 D-League Rookie of the Year Tony Mitchell. He also aided the team in earning not only their first playoff berth in franchise history, but later their first NBA D-League Championship in 2014. Through his time with Fort Wayne, Gansey has coached under Duane Ticknor and Conner Henry, who now hold assistant coaching roles with the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic respectively.
Prior to his coaching experiences in the NBA Development League, Gansey helped as an assistant coach/support staff for the USA U19 National Basketball Team where he worked with players such as Stephen Curry, DeAndre Jordan and Tyreke Evans.
Though strong in his coaching experiences, Gansey’s college playing career began at Cleveland State, where he played for head coach Mike Garland, who now serves under Michigan State’s Tom Izzo. He then concluded his collegiate basketball career at Ashland University.
Mad Ants General Manager, Brian Levy comments, “Steve has built a reputation as a smart, hard working, energetic coach. He has a strong development background, but also brings with him a winning, championship pedigree. His history and familiarity with Fort Wayne will only serve to strengthen ties within the community. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Steve to the Pacers family, as the next Mad Ants Head Coach.”
Gansey will be welcomed back to Fort Wayne in the Mad Ants season opener as they host the newest member of the D-League, Raptors 905, Saturday, November 14th at 7:30 p.m. at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
About the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and the NBA Development League
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, are the NBA Development affiliate of the NBA Indiana Pacers. Established in 2007, the Mad Ants have marked their success in back-to-back Championship appearances, coming out on top in 2014 and returning to the Championship series in 2015. The 2014-2015 season also named the Mad Ants as the NBA Development League Development Champions, which recognizes the team that best embodies the NBA D-League’s goals of developing NBA-caliber basketball talent through call-ups and assignments. The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on fortwayne.gleague.nba.com.
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