| Chris Cheeks |
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 | Assistant Coach:
2nd year (2006-07)
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Chris Cheeks was hired May 10, 2006, to complete head coach Bobby Lutz's coaching staff for the 2006-07 season. A 10-year coaching veteran, Cheeks played his college ball at Virginia Commonwealth and most recently served as an assistant coach at Georgia State University. He now begins his second season with the 49ers.
"Chris Cheeks is someone I have been watching for a number of years," said Lutz. "He has proven to be an excellent recruiter and has natural ties to key areas that we love to recruit. Chris was a great player and has the ability to relate extremely well with today's players. He has a great feel for teaching the game."
Cheeks spent three years as an assistant coach at Georgia State, prioir to joining the 49ers. Before that, he was an assistant at West Virginia for two years and at his alma mater, VCU, for five years. With 10 years of coaching experience, Cheeks is well-versed in what it takes to succeed in college basketball.
"I have big expectations, absolutely," said Cheeks, who starred at VCU from 1987-89. "I know a lot about the (49ers) program because VCU was in the same conference (Sun Belt) when I played. Coach Lutz is one of the best coaches in the country and when I came to campus, it was unbelievable. I said to myself, `what recruit won't want to come here?' I'm a positive person and I think we will have a great working relationship."
While at West Virginia, Cheeks helped recruit the #1-rated class in the Big East in 2000, which is the only time in history that West Virginia boasted the league's top class. As a player at VCU, Cheeks has been named to the Ram's all-time team. As an assistant coach, Cheeks main responsibilities included recruiting, individual skill development and game-day scouting.
"Throughout the process I was impressed with many of our applicants," Lutz added. "But my thoughts kept coming back to Chris"
Cheeks received his bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth in 1990. Prior to joining the collegiate coaching ranks, Cheeks coached at Atlee High School in Mechanicsville, Va. and was a head coach in the Richmond (Va.) Metro AAU program.
Chris has two sons, Christopher, Jr. and Brandon.
