DURHAM, N.C. – No stranger to the Nest, Wes Pifer rejoins the North Carolina Central men's basketball staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2025-26 season. Pifer spent three seasons at NCCU previously, from 2010-13 on head coach LeVelle Moton's staff.
Pifer led as head coach at Western Oregon University for six years prior to his return. His tenure was highlighted by a 19-8 record during the 2019-20 season, finishing second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Western Oregon ranked in the top-25 nationally in Division II in six categories, including first in free-throw percentage (86.2) in Pifer's first season.
Prior to his time in Monmouth, Ore., Pifer was on staff at Northern Arizona University from 2013-19, serving as the associate head coach in his final season. Pifer helped NAU to a school-record 23 wins in 2014-15. The Lumberjacks also won in the classroom, boasting a 97 percent graduation rate during Pifer's tenure.
Before heading to the West Coast, Pifer was at North Carolina Central as an assistant. In his first stint with the Eagles, Pifer helped NCCU to three winning seasons and oversaw the development of three All-MEAC First Team selections.
Pifer was also an assistant at St. Andrews University before coaching the Maroon & Gray. With the Knights, he was the recruiting coordinator and head coach of the junior varsity men's basketball team.
Miami Dade College was where Pifer made his collegiate coaching debut during the 2008-09 season. While there, Miami Dade was ranked No.7 in the National Junior College Athletic Association, recording a school-record 30 victories. Pifer helped multiple players move up to the Division I level.
Pifer played at Methodist University (2000-02) and Penn State-Altoona (2002-04). While at PSU-Altoona, Pifer averaged 9.1 points, 5.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds a game under former NBA player and then-coach, Armen Gilliam.
The Creedmoor, N.C. native would become an assistant coach at his alma mater, South Granville High School in 2004-05, before heading overseas to play professionally with BBG Herford in the Germany 2 Regionalliga. After averaging 12.2 points and leading the league in assists, Pifer returned to PSU-Altoona to earn his bachelor's degree in 2007.
Pifer officially returns to the Eagles sideline when NCCU faces NC State at the Lenovo Center on November 3 in the season opener.
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