Buckeye Reporter

Bowling Green State University has announced that Anthony Stacey will return to the Falcons as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team. Head coach Todd Simon confirmed Stacey's addition, marking his second stint in this role after previously serving under Michael Huger from 2015 to 2020.

"I could not be more excited to add Anthony Stacey to our staff," said Coach Simon. "Since arriving in Bowling Green, he has been an excellent resource and friend. We've admired his coaching acumen while recruiting at Whitmer and have found that his coaching philosophies are a match for what we do here. His passion for the game and mentoring young men through basketball is admirable. Coach Stacey embodies everything that is great about our Falcon Family and his hiring builds on the momentum of our program into the future."

Stacey spent the last five years as head coach at Whitmer High School in Toledo, where he led a significant turnaround for the Panthers' basketball program. After starting with a 1-6 record in his first season, he guided Whitmer to a 20-5 record in his second year. Over five seasons, Stacey compiled a 79-31 record, including a Final Four appearance in 2023-24 and reaching the Regional Semifinal in 2024-25.

During his time at Whitmer, Stacey coached several players who advanced to Division-I programs. This includes incoming BGSU freshman guard Makhi Leach, who earned All-Ohio honors in both 2023-24 and 2024-25 under Stacey's leadership. Another player, Antione West Jr., was ranked No. 76 in ESPN's Top 100 for the class of 2025 and is now playing at Purdue.

"I'm beyond excited to return home to my alma mater and join Coach Simon and the BGSU Falcons staff," said Stacey. "I love BG and the direction of the program. While it was extremely difficult to say goodbye to my Whitmer players, this is the only opportunity I would have ever left for, and I'm proud to be a Falcon again."

In his previous tenure with Bowling Green, Stacey contributed to developing key players such as Demajeo Wiggins—who became one of three Falcons with over 1,000 career points and rebounds—and Justin Turner, who broke two of Stacey’s own scoring records during his college career.

As a player at Bowling Green, Stacey had a Hall of Fame career with several individual records still standing today. He ranks second all-time in points scored (1,938), holds the school record for career steals (226), and is tenth all-time in rebounds (760). His achievements include being named MAC Player of the Year in 2000 and MAC Freshman of the Year in 1996.