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The jump from junior college to Division I basketball coach usually comes with a moving truck.
For former Florida SouthWestern State College men's coach Darrin Wallace, it didn't.
Wallace, who played on FGCU's inaugural men's basketball team during the 2002-03 season and served as the program's video coordinator from 2010-11, returned to FGCU in late May as an assistant under head coach Pat Chambers.
"Everything happened so quick, so fast," Wallace said. "It's not very often where you leave one place, especially at the Division I level, where you leave a job for a Division I job and you don't have to move. That just doesn't happen. I'm just so grateful for the opportunity coach (Pat) Chambers gave me because he's well established. He had a lot of options. For him to show confidence in me, and give me this opportunity, motivates me to work extremely hard and do a great job for him.
"It's great to be back. I obviously played here a long time ago and had a brief stint coaching here, but I just love this university, love this program, and love this community overall."
Wallace has been a mainstay in Southwest Florida for much of this century, coaching at the high school level at Gateway Charter, Cape Coral, Canterbury, and Riverdale. Wallace made his return to the collegiate ranks when FSW came calling in 2022, serving as an assistant coach for two years under Eric Murphy before getting promoted to lead the NJCAA program in 2024. He went 41-19 in his two seasons with the Bucs, adding a Citrus Conference title.
"We are thrilled to add Darrin Wallace to our staff," Chambers said in a release. "Darrin has proven himself as an outstanding head coach, recruiter, and mentor throughout his career. His ability to develop players, build meaningful relationships, and connect within the community makes him a tremendous addition to our program. He understands the culture of Southwest Florida and brings valuable experience that will positively impact our student-athletes both on and off the court."
Wallace continued FSW's reputation as being a prime spot for player development, sending 10 players to the Division I or Division II level. Wallace expects to continue that trajectory, aiming to elevate an FGCU roster that's gone 57-66 under Chambers in four seasons.
"I'm excited about building relationships with the guys first," Wallace said. "The best part about coaching and being a player was being a part of a team. I love that, and getting the opportunity to work for one of the better coaches in the country in coach Chambers, someone that I can learn from.
"I feel like the group we brought in is going to be a special group that can do some exciting things this year."
The Eagles announced two additions to their roster from the transfer portal on Thursday, June 4 — Charles "CJ" Outlaw and Elijah Brooks.
Outlaw comes to FGCU from UMass, where he played for the 2025-26 season. In 2024-25, the 6-foot-9 forward started 37 games for the NJCAA national champion Trinity Valley Community College and shot 73% from the field en route to the national championship. Outlaw spent his freshman season at Mineral Area College. The son of former NBA player Bo Outlaw, he attended Olympia High School in Orlando.
Brooks spent the last two years at Houston Christian. He played eight games for the Huskies in 2025-26 before missing the rest of the season due to injury, but averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 30.5 minutes per game prior to his injury. In 2024-25, he led HCU with 47.8% shooting from the field, and averaged 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Prior to Houston Christian, the Topeka, Kansas native, spent two seasons at North Dakota
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: [email protected]. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: FGCU men's basketball hires FSW head coach Darrin Wallace as assistant
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For former Florida SouthWestern State College men's coach Darrin Wallace, it didn't.
Wallace, who played on FGCU's inaugural men's basketball team during the 2002-03 season and served as the program's video coordinator from 2010-11, returned to FGCU in late May as an assistant under head coach Pat Chambers.
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"Everything happened so quick, so fast," Wallace said. "It's not very often where you leave one place, especially at the Division I level, where you leave a job for a Division I job and you don't have to move. That just doesn't happen. I'm just so grateful for the opportunity coach (Pat) Chambers gave me because he's well established. He had a lot of options. For him to show confidence in me, and give me this opportunity, motivates me to work extremely hard and do a great job for him.
"It's great to be back. I obviously played here a long time ago and had a brief stint coaching here, but I just love this university, love this program, and love this community overall."
Wallace has been a mainstay in Southwest Florida for much of this century, coaching at the high school level at Gateway Charter, Cape Coral, Canterbury, and Riverdale. Wallace made his return to the collegiate ranks when FSW came calling in 2022, serving as an assistant coach for two years under Eric Murphy before getting promoted to lead the NJCAA program in 2024. He went 41-19 in his two seasons with the Bucs, adding a Citrus Conference title.
"We are thrilled to add Darrin Wallace to our staff," Chambers said in a release. "Darrin has proven himself as an outstanding head coach, recruiter, and mentor throughout his career. His ability to develop players, build meaningful relationships, and connect within the community makes him a tremendous addition to our program. He understands the culture of Southwest Florida and brings valuable experience that will positively impact our student-athletes both on and off the court."
Wallace continued FSW's reputation as being a prime spot for player development, sending 10 players to the Division I or Division II level. Wallace expects to continue that trajectory, aiming to elevate an FGCU roster that's gone 57-66 under Chambers in four seasons.
"I'm excited about building relationships with the guys first," Wallace said. "The best part about coaching and being a player was being a part of a team. I love that, and getting the opportunity to work for one of the better coaches in the country in coach Chambers, someone that I can learn from.
"I feel like the group we brought in is going to be a special group that can do some exciting things this year."
FGCU adds two from transfer portal
The Eagles announced two additions to their roster from the transfer portal on Thursday, June 4 — Charles "CJ" Outlaw and Elijah Brooks.
Outlaw comes to FGCU from UMass, where he played for the 2025-26 season. In 2024-25, the 6-foot-9 forward started 37 games for the NJCAA national champion Trinity Valley Community College and shot 73% from the field en route to the national championship. Outlaw spent his freshman season at Mineral Area College. The son of former NBA player Bo Outlaw, he attended Olympia High School in Orlando.
Brooks spent the last two years at Houston Christian. He played eight games for the Huskies in 2025-26 before missing the rest of the season due to injury, but averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 30.5 minutes per game prior to his injury. In 2024-25, he led HCU with 47.8% shooting from the field, and averaged 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Prior to Houston Christian, the Topeka, Kansas native, spent two seasons at North Dakota
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: [email protected]. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: FGCU men's basketball hires FSW head coach Darrin Wallace as assistant
Continue reading...
