INDIANA, Pa. – IUP men's basketball announced the additions of Dylan Rice and Joey Bruno to its coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.
"Joey has been a great addition as a volunteer graduate assistant," IUP head coach Joe Lombardi said. "He is very resourceful and great at carrying out tasks. His upbeat, positive approach to coaching will greatly benefit our young team.
"Dylan is only in his second year in college but is mature beyond his years. He has great relationships with the guys and is always willing to serve them in any way."
Rice comes to IUP with a background in coaching, player development and training, bringing 15 years of basketball playing, coaching and training experience to the Crimson Hawks.
Most recently, Rice served as an assistant basketball coach at the Maret School in Washington, D.C., beginning in October 2025. In that role, Rice assisted with film breakdown and identified key plays for further analysis while providing input on in-game adjustments.
Rice also brings experience in individual player development, working as a youth basketball trainer from 2021-23. He designed and led individual and small-group workouts for players ages 8-13, tailoring drills to individual skill levels while providing instruction in shooting, ball handling, footwork and defense.
In the summer of 2024, Rice worked as a basketball camp counselor at Coach Lun Camp in Bethesda, Maryland. He led group drills and coached a team of players while earning Counselor of the Week recognition during both weeks of the camp.
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Rice played at nationally recognized Oak Hill Academy.
Rice is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology through Arizona State University and is expected to graduate in 2028. He is also a NASM certified personal trainer and holds CPR/AED certification.
Bruno joined the IUP men's basketball coaching staff in 2026 and begins his first season with the Crimson Hawks, bringing a background in coaching, player development and collegiate basketball to the program.
Prior to arriving at IUP, Bruno gained coaching experience at the high school and AAU levels. Most recently, he served as a ninth-grade assistant and varsity assistant at Boardman High School in Ohio. Bruno was involved in several areas of the program, including player development, practice preparation, scouting and other day-to-day responsibilities.
Bruno has also coached with Team Cure and PK Flash, adding experience working with players at the AAU level. His coaching background includes extensive work in individual player development, allowing him to work with athletes across multiple age groups while emphasizing skill development, preparation and relationship-building.
His experience as both a coach and former collegiate player provides Bruno with a diverse background as he begins his time at IUP. Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Bruno played collegiately at Walsh University and Denison University.
Bruno's academic background also plays a role in his approach to working with student-athletes. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience and a minor in chemistry.
He is currently pursuing a master's degree in sport science at IUP, with research interests centered on sport psychology, mental skills training and student-athlete mental wellness. His academic interests complement his work in player development and provide another avenue for assisting student-athletes throughout their collegiate careers.
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Bruno will be involved with player development and program operations for the Crimson Hawks.
