Oklahoma's Porter Moser Adds Assistant

Armon Gates was with Moser at Loyola Chicago and has connections with others on the OU staff as well as time at Oregon, Northwestern and Nebraska.

By OU Media Relations

Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Porter Moser announced the addition of Armon Gates to his staff as an assistant coach on Tuesday.

No stranger to Moser and the Sooner staff, Gates spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Loyola Chicago under Moser (2011-13) and worked with OU assistant coach Ryan Humphrey and director of operations Tad Glibert at Northwestern.

"Armon has been coaching and recruiting at the highest level," said Moser. "He is a grinder in recruiting and brings a tremendous amount of passion to the game. His energy level is contagious and he pours that energy into the players and program. There is value in bringing in a coach you have worked with before and Armon will be an excellent addition to the staff."

Prior to joining the Sooners, Gates was as an assistant at Oregon under Dana Altman for the 2022-23 season. The Ducks finished 21-15 and were one of the final eight teams in the NIT.

Gates, from Chicago, spent four seasons (2018-22) as an assistant coach at Nebraska. He was instrumental in developing Dalano Banton and Cam Mack. Banton was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft and was only the second player in program history to notch a triple-double. Gates tutored Mack to 2019-20 All-Big Ten honors. Mack finished third on Nebraska's single-season assist chart.

"My family and I are humbled and excited to be at the University of Oklahoma and a part of Coach Moser's staff again," said Gates. "He is a proven winner and knows how to get the most out of his players and teams. Oklahoma has a rich basketball tradition and I look forward to working tirelessly with our student-athletes to help them achieve at the highest levels on and off the court. I am ready to help our players and staff reach our goal of winning championships."

Prior to his time with the Huskers, Gates was a member of Chris Collins' staff at Northwestern for five seasons (2013-18). Gates helped the Wildcats tally a pair of 20-win seasons and reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history in 2017. The Wildcats recorded a top-30 recruiting class in 2014 and the 24th-ranked class by 247Sports in 2018. Gates coached All-Big Ten performers Bryant McIntosh, Vic Law, Scottie Lindsey, Tre Demps and Drew Crawford. McIntosh finished fifth on the Big Ten's career assist list.

As the newly appointed head coach of Loyola Chicago in 2011, Moser hired Gates as an assistant coach. Gates spent two seasons with the Ramblers and helped Ben Averkamp to All-Horizon League honors. Averkamp was the first Loyola player in five seasons to earn first- or second-team all-conference recognition.

During the 2010-11 season, Gates served as an assistant coach at TCU and developed Hank Thorns, who earned third-team All-Mountain West Conference accolades. Thorns ranked fourth nationally in assists per game (7.0) and 12th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.7). His 225 assists were the second highest total in a single season in Mountain West history.

Gates also served two seasons (2008-10) as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Kent State. The Golden Flashes won the 2009-10 Mid-American Conference regular season title.

As a player for the Golden Flashes, Gates helped the program to an 88-42 record, four consecutive 20-win seasons and a trio of postseason appearances. At the conclusion of his playing days, he ranked second in school history with 200 3-point field goals. 

Gates graduated from Kent State in 2005 with a degree in leisure studies and obtained his master's degree in sports administration in 2007. He played prep ball at Hillcrest High School and spent one season at Brewster (N.H.) academy.

Gates and his wife Ashley have two daughters (Gaida and Milan) and two sons (Kaiere and Blaze). Gates' older brother, Dennis, is the University of Missouri head men's basketball coach.