LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Southern College alumni
Luke St. Lifer '18 has been elevated to assistant basketball coach for both men's and women's basketball, after two seasons on the sideline for the men's team under the direction of Head Coach
Mike Donnelly. St. Lifer will now assist both basketball programs for the Moccasins and will focus on player development, scouting, and game planning and strategy.
St. Lifer joined the Mocs in November 2022 after roles at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (Intern Director of Player Development), Bryant University (Director of Basketball Analytics and Director of Basketball Operations), and Le Moyne College (assistant coach).
After helping guide the men's program to a 42-19 record over the past two seasons and a 28-12 record in Sunshine State Conference play, St. Lifer has helped improve player development within the program including major improvements to
Jadin Booth,
Dominick Denny, and
Alex Steen.
Booth, a redshirt freshman the year prior to St. Lifer's arrival, averaged 7.3 points per game and finished the year with just 197 points with 56 made field goals, 39 three-pointers, and 46 free throws. After one season of St. Lifer on the sideline and in the gym, Booth turned into an NABC First Team All-American after averaging 22.0 points per game and finishing his second season in a Moccasin uniform with 593 points on 191 made field goals, 93 made three-pointers, and 118 made free throws, eventually tying the program record with 30 consecutive made free throws.
Denny has increased his scoring average from 1.7 points in the 2020-21 season per game to 12.0 points this past season while increasing his made field goals from seven his first season to 140 this past year in which the Mocs advanced to the NCAA South Region Championship game. Denny has excelled as a leader pushing his assist count to 198 this past year up from 77 in 2022-23, 42 in 2021-22, and eight in 2020-21. The 5-11 guard also hauled in a career-best 122 rebounds, doubling his total from 2022-23. Denny's 198 assists led the SSC and were fourth most in the NCAA Division II.
Steen completed his second season in 2023-24 and was named the Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 86 blocked shots and fourth among all Division II players. Playing four games fewer than his freshman campaign, the sophomore turned in 398 points, 255 rebounds, 86 blocks, and 21 steals where he concluded his season with 15 double-doubles and had a career-high of 28 points. During his freshman campaign, Steen registered one double-double and had one game of 20 or more points, five less than his sophomore season. In just one off season between his freshman and sophomore season, Steen improved his ability to finish where he made 64 field goals in 22-23 and made 160 in 23-24. He also increased his free throw percentage from .333 (9-for-27) to .600 (75-125).
St. Lifer also had a hand in helping redshirt junior
Luke Anderson garner NABC First Team All-America honors and a Player of the Year finalist after jumping to the team's leading producer in 2023-24 with 652 points and 264 rebounds while notching 32 steals and 28 blocks. Anderson jumped from 183 points in 2021-22 to 389 in 2022-23 with St. Lifer's guidance before climbing to 652 in 23-24, eclipsing the 1,000-point plateau ending a three-year career for the Mocs with 1,224 points. Anderson improved from 41 made free throws in 21-22 to 59 in 22-23 and to 105 in 23-24 where he also increased his made three-point field goals from 20 to 46 to 83 and his made field goals from 61 to 142 to 232.
St. Lifer will look to help keep the men's student-athletes on a growth track while he will join head coach
Megan Dzikas '12 and assistant coach
Vernisha Andrews on the women's side as well to assist in game day preparations and player development.
Both programs open the year in November with the men's team getting underway with the 2024 Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic Nov. 2-3. The women's team will start the season with the Sunshine State Conference and Gulf South Conference Crossover on Nov. 8-9 inside the George W. Jenkins Field House.
Testimony:
Dylan Travis, FSC alum '16, 2024 Team USA Olympian (3x3)
Luke is a testament to hard work and dedication. He was a servant leader as a teammate and it's clear he's carried that into his professional career. His care factor goes way beyond the court and his knowledge of the game and ability to relate to players will largely impact any program he's with in a position way.
Jadin Booth, rising redshirt senior
Coach Lifer has been a great influence in my life and basketball career. He relates to me in so many ways and it translates into the court. His skill development is second to none, and he's my go-to guy to be able to get work in. His work on the court speaks for itself and his care factor off the court sets him apart from so many coaches like the rest of our staff. We're truly blessed to have him with us."
Megan Dzikas '12, FSC Head Women's Basketball Coach
We are ecstatic for Luke to join our staff and program. Watching him firsthand for the past two years and what he has done for the men's program, it was a no-brainer for him to join us as well. Luke's tireless work ethic and knowledge for not only the game but for player development is outstanding. He brings a wealth of experience and wisdom that will only elevate this program even more. He is a proven winner and we are excited to welcome him to our program.
Mike Donnelly, FSC Head Men's Basketball Coach
Luke has been an invaluable member of our coaching staff over the last two years. He is not only a fantastic coach, but he is also an incredible person who has helped our basketball program in countless ways both on and off the court. We are fortunate to have Luke on our staff. He has been an integral part of our success, and I am excited to watch him thrive in his new role.
