University of Florida women’s basketball head coach Cam Newbauer announced Monday afternoon the addition of assistant coach Julian Assibey to the team’s staff.
“Gator Nation, please join us in welcoming our new assistant coach Julian Assibey! We are very excited for Julian, Kaylee, Malachi and Elijah to join us here in Gainesville,” said Newbauer. “Julian caught my attention years ago with his natural ability to connect and engage with those around him. His energy and enthusiasm will have a positive impact in every area of our program. He is a man of high character who embodies a strong commitment to be great in all he touches or comes across which made him an ideal fit for our program.”
Assibey (PRONUNCIATION: Ahh-SEE-bay) joins the Gators after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant coach at Montana State. Before his time with the Bobcats, Assibey was with the University of Colorado from 2014-16.
“I am blessed and humbled for this opportunity. I mean the University of Florida is one of the most iconic and elite athletic institutions in the country, so having this opportunity to join Coach Newbauer’s staff is humbling and I’m honored. I’m excited to get there and to work with an unbelievable staff and group of players,” Assibey said.
The Downey, Calif. native, known to be an enthusiastic leader and an excellent recruiter, brings with him over 10 years of college coaching experience.
During his four years in Bozeman, Assibey guided the Bobcats to an 82-43 overall record, two Big Sky regular season titles and one conference tournament crown. Assibey helped produce two Big Sky Players of the Year and a total of nine all-conference honorees.
Assibey, the team’s recruiting coordinator, played a key role in the program’s success landing and cultivating top talent. Each year on staff, Assibey saw at least two players garner all-conference accolades.
This past season, Montana State posted a 25-6 record and one of the greatest campaigns in program history. Montana State was scheduled to compete in the Big Sky Tournament’s finale before the event was canceled due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. The Bobcats posted a Big Sky record 19 conference wins and in those victories won by an average margin of 18 points. Senior forward Fallyn Freije was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year after averaging 13.7 points and 7.7 rebounds.
“I’m a very passionate and energetic individual, I feel like that’s something I can bring to the table right away. Every time you meet me I’m going to be smiling and hyped,” Assibey added. “When it comes to recruiting I believe that’s one of my strengths.”
Assibey will replace John McCray, who is no longer with the program.
In 2016-17, Assibey’s first year on campus, Montana State enjoyed another banner season winning both the Big Sky regular season and tournament titles. The Bobcats again touted the league’s finest individual talent as Peyton Ferris collected Big Sky Player of the Year honors.
At Colorado, he assisted in multiple facets of the program and in 2015-16 saw post-player Jamee Swan register her second straight All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention award. Assibey began as a video coordinator in Boulder, specializing in game film breakdown and scout preparation. He was elevated to an assistant position after just one year in the role.
Before joining the Division I ranks, Assibey spent several years coaching at both the Division II and NAIA levels. Prior to his appointment at Colorado, the California native spent four seasons (2011-14) as an assistant coach at Merrimack College in Andover, Mass. Assibey spearheaded the team’s recruiting operation and assisted with the team’s academics and budget. He helped spur a 12-win turnaround from 2011-12 to 2012-13 season.
Assibey also coached at Metro State College of Denver, Western Colorado University and his alma mater William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
“The connection I had with the staff was a huge part of why this was a pretty seamless decision for me and my family to join. Every conversation I had with Coach Newbauer and any opportunity I had to meet with the staff, I could just feel the energy and the passion they have. And if you can feel that through a Zoom call, I can only imagine what it is in real life,” said Assibey.
A four-year letterwinner on the hardwood at William Penn, he earned a double major in sports administration and strength and conditioning in 2005. He later received a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University in 2013.
Assibey and his wife Kaylee have two sons, Malachi and Elijah.
“I love where we are and where the program is going. The excitement about the incoming class and the returning talent is there. I love the style of play that Coach Newbauer coaches. The ability to give our players the freedom to make plays is exciting. I think there is a great core here and I can’t wait to help build on it. It was a no brainer to join something like this.”
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