Larry DeSimpelare Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 3rd year Alma Mater: Spring Arbor, '91

Nobody knows the Gary Waters system better than fourth year Viking assistant coach Larry DeSimpelare.

A 20-year coaching veteran at the collegiate level, DeSimpelare has worked with Coach Waters for the last 14 years, gaining valuable insight into how to build champions.

DeSimpelare works with the Viking guards on the court, focusing on the wing players and defense. He is also responsible for helping to oversee game preparation while being heavily involved in both scouting and recruiting.

Prior to coming to Cleveland State, DeSimpelare spent the previous five seasons at Rutgers (2001-06), helping the Scarlet Knights to a 79-75 record and three NIT appearances, including a second place finish in 2004.

With DeSimpelare serving as the primary recruiter, Hoop Scoop rated the Scarlet Knight recruiting class in 2006 as one of the best in the nation.

DeSimpelare, 41, first worked with Waters in 1995-96 as administrative assistant at Eastern Michigan. His only season in Ypsilanti was a memorable one as the Eagles went 25-6, won the MAC regular season and tournament titles and knocked off Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Connecticut in the second round.

Kent State beckoned for both Waters and DeSimpelare the following season, starting a five-year odyssey that turned the Golden Flashes into one of the top mid-major programs in the nation. KSU went 92-60, including three straight 20-win seasons and two NCAA and one NIT bid.

A native of Unionville, Mich., DeSimpelare lettered three times in basketball at Spring Arbor College, earning academic all-district honors and serving as team captain as a senior in 1989-90.

While finishing his coursework for his undergraduate degree, he served as an assistant coach at Spring Arbor in 1990-91.

DeSimpelare became one of the youngest head coaches of a four-year school in 1991 when he took over at Concordia (Mich.) College, a position he held for four seasons.

DeSimpelare and his wife, Susan, have two children, daughter, Abigal (11) and son, Tyler (7).