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South Dakota State University Athletics
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PETERSEN HIRES JAMAL NIXON TO FINALIZE STAFF
5/20/2025 11:59:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State men's basketball head coach Bryan Petersen completed his inaugural season staff on Tuesday as he announced the hiring of Jamal Nixon as an assistant coach.
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"We are very excited to announce the addition of Jamal Nixon to our Jackrabbit basketball family," Petersen said. "Jamal will fit in very well with our staff and add great value to our program in multiple ways. Jamal has a great background in developing and mentoring young players at multiple levels of college basketball. We are looking forward to seeing the impact he will make on our current and future Jackrabbit student-athletes!"
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Nixon has been in the coaching profession for four seasons following a four-year collegiate playing career.Â
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Nixon most recently served as an assistant this past season at Missouri-St. Louis. He was instrumental in all facets for a UMSL program that advanced to the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship and played in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship game. The Tritons finished the campaign with 21 victories and upset No. 1 seed Missouri S&T in the NCAA regional tournament. The UMSL squad had two all-conference performers while Nixon, who coordinated the Tritons' defensive strategy, mentored two all-defensive team selections.Â
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The two years prior to UMSLÂ had Nixon serve as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma. His time with the Sooners saw Nixon perform various roles for the then Big 12 program. Nixon's tenure came under head coach Porter Moser as the Sooners registered a 20-win campaign in his final year in Norman, Okla.
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Nixon spent a season as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Minnesota State, following his playing career for the Mavericks. He appeared in 101 games with 38 starts for the Mavericks. He averaged nearly 20 minutes per contest during his time in Mankato, including a career-high 26.3 minutes per contest as a sophomore. The Mavericks made two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and advanced to the Sweet 16 once.Â
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A native of Oak Park, Ill., Nixon was a regular starter during his prep career for Fenwick High School. He was a team captain for two seasons. Nixon's senior year saw him lead his high school squad to a state runner-up finish while he became Fenwick's boys' basketball all-time winningest player with 102 victories. That year, Nixon was chosen as the Chicago Catholic League North Player of the Year, a 1st Team All-Area selection and AP 2nd Team All-State honoree.Â
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Nixon earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Minnesota State. He also holds a master's degree from Oklahoma.Â
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Nixon was hired following Chris Howell's departure as Howell was announced by Colorado State last week as the Rams' Director of Player Personnel.Â
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"We are very excited to announce the addition of Jamal Nixon to our Jackrabbit basketball family," Petersen said. "Jamal will fit in very well with our staff and add great value to our program in multiple ways. Jamal has a great background in developing and mentoring young players at multiple levels of college basketball. We are looking forward to seeing the impact he will make on our current and future Jackrabbit student-athletes!"
Â
Nixon has been in the coaching profession for four seasons following a four-year collegiate playing career.Â
Â
Nixon most recently served as an assistant this past season at Missouri-St. Louis. He was instrumental in all facets for a UMSL program that advanced to the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship and played in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship game. The Tritons finished the campaign with 21 victories and upset No. 1 seed Missouri S&T in the NCAA regional tournament. The UMSL squad had two all-conference performers while Nixon, who coordinated the Tritons' defensive strategy, mentored two all-defensive team selections.Â
Â
The two years prior to UMSLÂ had Nixon serve as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma. His time with the Sooners saw Nixon perform various roles for the then Big 12 program. Nixon's tenure came under head coach Porter Moser as the Sooners registered a 20-win campaign in his final year in Norman, Okla.
Â
Nixon spent a season as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Minnesota State, following his playing career for the Mavericks. He appeared in 101 games with 38 starts for the Mavericks. He averaged nearly 20 minutes per contest during his time in Mankato, including a career-high 26.3 minutes per contest as a sophomore. The Mavericks made two NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and advanced to the Sweet 16 once.Â
Â
A native of Oak Park, Ill., Nixon was a regular starter during his prep career for Fenwick High School. He was a team captain for two seasons. Nixon's senior year saw him lead his high school squad to a state runner-up finish while he became Fenwick's boys' basketball all-time winningest player with 102 victories. That year, Nixon was chosen as the Chicago Catholic League North Player of the Year, a 1st Team All-Area selection and AP 2nd Team All-State honoree.Â
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Nixon earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Minnesota State. He also holds a master's degree from Oklahoma.Â
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Nixon was hired following Chris Howell's departure as Howell was announced by Colorado State last week as the Rams' Director of Player Personnel.Â
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