Basketball coach DJ Stephens is back in Big Ten, not at Michigan State

DJ Stephens is back in the Big Ten. Just not at his old stomping grounds.

Stephens, who spent two decades on Tom Izzo's staff at Michigan State before a four-year run as head coach at Western Michigan, has joined the coaching staff at Penn State, the school announced this week.

Stephens, 54, is joining the staff of Penn State head coach Mike Rhoades.

Then-Western Michigan head coach Dwayne Stephens talks to Markeese Hastings during a timeout in the first half of a game against Iowa State on Dec. 18, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.

“Coach Stephens is one of the most well-respected and accomplished coaches in college basketball," Rhoades said in a statement this week. "He brings elite experience from every level of the game — from Final Fours and Big Ten championships, to leading his own program as a head coach. He has recruited and developed some of the best players in the country, and his ability to build genuine relationships and impact winning will elevate every part of our program.

"We’re excited for our players and staff to get to work with him every day and are thrilled to welcome Coach Stephens and his family to Happy Valley!”

Stephens was head coach at Western Michigan for four seasons from 2022 until his firing this spring. He had a head-coaching record of 42-84.

Before he was hired at Western Michigan, Stephens was on Izzo's staff at Michigan State from 2003-22, helping the Spartans reach five Final Fours and the 2009 national championship game at Ford Field.

Known as an elite recruiter and player developer during his days at Michigan State, he is especially credited with the development of such players as Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Miles Bridges.

This will be his first time coaching outside Michigan since 1999-2003, when he was on Tom Crean's coaching staff at Marquette. Stephens, a Michigan State alum and Ferndale native, began his coaching career under Oakland assistant Greg Kampe.