Santa Clara head men's basketball coach Kerry Keating, entering his eighth year at the helm of the Broncos, announced three hiring's on Monday. For starters, Air Force Academy Associate Head Coach Steve Snell has been added to the Bronco coaching staff. He will replace first year assistant coach Kyle Schwan who returned to Arizona to work in private business.
"We are fortunate to be able to add Steve to our coaching staff," said Keating. "He is a seasoned veteran, a winner and a trusted coach that will have a great influence on our players here at Santa Clara."
"I am excited about joining the Bronco family," said Snell. "Coaching here gives me a great opportunity to work at a prestigious university in a great conference. It is honor to work for one of the best coaches on the west coast. It is a also a wonderful opportunity for me and my family. I am excited to get started."
In addition, Keating announced he has added Dana McCusker as the men's basketball academic counselor. The Broncos have also hired Evan Drabik, a graduate assistant the past two years at SCU, as a full-time men's basketball athletic trainer.
Snell was in his eighth season on the men's basketball staff at the Air Force Academy and second year as the associate head coach.
During his time at Air Force, the Falcons earned two postseason appearances at the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in 2011 and '13. Snell also helped Air Force claim three of its four victories over ranked teams in program history, including two wins over San Diego State and an 89-88 victory over 12th-ranked New Mexico in the 2013 regular-season finale. In addition, he played a vital role in Tim Anderson earning Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and Michael Lyons becoming just the sixth player in program history to earn first-team all-conference honors in 2013.
A 24-year coaching veteran, Snell came to Air Force prior to the 2007-08 campaign after spending two seasons as a member of the coaching staff at Louisiana-Monroe. He helped the Warhawks to the co-championship of the Sun Belt's West Division in 2006-07 with an 18-14 record, including a perfect 14-0 mark at home. Prior to coaching at ULM, Snell was at Tulane University, where he served as an assistant coach. During his four-year tenure with the Green Wave, Snell assisted in all aspects of the program.
Snell earned a Bachelor's degree in Recreation Management from Radford University in 1990. He and his wife, the former Ann Barnitz, have two sons, Jaden (11) and Jordan (10).
McCusker comes to Santa Clara after working at UCLA the past year. Prior her time with the Bruins, she worked as a high school English teacher and varsity softball coach for six years. Looking to finish a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Higher Education Administration at the University of Southern California in 2015, McCusker graduated from Cal State University, East Bay with a degree in English in 2005. She played softball for the Pioneers her final two years. She also played softball for two years at Long Beach City College prior to that.
McCusker also received a Master's degree in Education from Pepperdine in 2007. She and her husband, Mike McCusker, are passionate about a non-profit organization they started three years ago, Shanesheart.org, which works to support children with congenital heart disease and also spread awareness of early detection.
"We are excited to be able to add Dana to our family," said Keating. "She brings a great passion for student-athlete academic development and will elevate our program with a high level of attention to their academic mission here as our student-athletes pursue a world class degree."
"I am honored to be welcomed into a university that carries such high value of education," said McCusker. "I am excited to be a part of the Santa Clara Bronco Athletic Department and to be able to work with our fine student-athletes as they find success in both athletics and academics. I fully believe in the mission of both the university and the athletic department here at Santa Clara and look forward to serving our student-athlete population to help them develop into independent, compassionate, and educated citizens of our world."
A native of Waterford, Conn., Drabik accepted a full time position with Santa Clara Athletics in July of 2014 after graduating with his Master's in Athletic Training from San Jose State University. He had previously been a graduate assistant for the Broncos, working with men's basketball last year and women's basketball the year before.
Drabik graduated from UNC Charlotte in the Spring of 2012 where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training.
"Evan did a tremendous job for us last season and I am excited that we can keep him full time to help our player's progress," said Keating. "He is a great asset for our program!"
"Santa Clara University provided a great opportunity for me to achieve my career goal of becoming a Division I men's basketball athletic trainer," said Drabik. "After having a great experience with SCU during my graduate assistantship, I am fortunate to re-join Santa Clara University as a full-time staff member. In addition to achieving my personal career goals, Santa Clara University offers an outstanding environment and culture. I am thankful to be a part of a Jesuit University with such an admirable and historic reputation. GO BRONCOS!"
