LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University head men's basketball coach Chris Kemp announced the hiring of Doug Heron as the new assistant coach for the Mountaineers ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Heron joins the Mounties after two successful seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Seattle University, where he helped guide the Redhawks to a 23-win campaign in 2023-24, capped off by winning the 2024 Roman College Basketball Invitational (CBI) Championship. During his time at Seattle, Heron played a key role in the Redhawks' defensive success, with the team finishing in the top 75 nationally in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. Seattle also ended the season ranked No. 117 in the NCAA NET rankings—the highest final ranking in program history.

"We are very excited to get Doug to EOU," said Kemp. "He comes highly recommended as a guy who wants to work hard and get better every day. He brings a fresh energy to our staff and a new perspective. His high-level experience and ability to work hard make him a perfect fit for us. Mount up!"

Before Seattle, Heron served as a student manager for the University of South Carolina men's basketball program during the 2022-23 season. Over the past two years, he has worked with players who have gone on to careers in the NBA G League and professional leagues overseas.

A native of Emerson, New Jersey, Heron earned his Bachelor of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management from South Carolina in 2023. He recently completed his Master of Science in Business Analytics at Seattle University in 2025.


Heron will assist in all aspects of the Mountaineers' program, including recruiting, scouting, player development, and analytics.
"I chose Eastern because of the incredible sense of community, the strong commitment to the student-athletes, and the program's tradition of excellence," Heron said. "I'm excited to be a part of a team that works hard on and off the court. I can't wait to help these guys grow and compete. This season is a great opportunity, and I'm thrilled to get started."

The Mountaineers are coming off an 18-11 2024-25 season and look to build on that momentum as they prepare for the upcoming Cascade Collegiate Conference season with some new faces.