Duquesne names former Kent State assistant Julian Sullinger to men's basketball coaching staff
Duquesne men’s basketball coach Dru Joyce III made the second alteration to his staff since replacing Keith Dambrot two months ago, naming Julian Sullinger as an assistant coach.
Sullinger spent the past seven seasons at Kent State, including 2023-24 when he was associate head coach. Kent State compiled a record of 142-83 with Sullinger on the staff, including four seasons with at least 20 victories.
The Golden Flashes were 80-48 in the Mid-American Conference in that time and appeared in three consecutive MAC championship games (2022, 2023, 2024). They claimed the title in 2023 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
“Coach Sullinger is an unbelievable talent who will be a head coach someday,” Joyce said in a statement. “For the past seven seasons he has been instrumental in the success of Kent State University, aiding a stellar defense that led to a 2022-2023 MAC championship.
“Coach Sullinger will be a huge asset with his recruiting acumen, both locally and nationally. He will also play a role in developing our interior players. Most importantly, coach Sullinger is a father, a husband and a coach of high character who embodies the values of our program and Duquesne University.”
Said Sullinger: “I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to build off the legacy of coach Keith Dambrot and join the staff at Duquesne University. I’m committed to coach Joyce and eager to get to work supporting his vision for the program.”
Sullinger, a native of Columbus, Ohio, graduated from Kent State in 2010 with a bachelor of integrative studies degree. He played four seasons for the Golden Flashes from 2005-09, appearing in 124 games, including 55 starts, with a 55.9 shooting percentage (251 of 449) from the floor.
Prior to joining the coaching staff at Kent State, Sullinger spent four seasons (2013-17) as an assistant at Tiffin where he helped in recruiting, scouting and developing post players.
Joyce has added Sullinger and Chase Goldstein to the Duquesne coaching staff, replacing Terry Weigand and Andy Allison. Goldstein was chief of staff and director of basketball operations at Missouri.
Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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