Duquesne Coach Headed to High-Major Level

One of Duquesne’s men’s basketball assistant coaches is on the move.

Jeff Goodman first reported that Dukes’ assistant Steve Wright has joined the Missouri staff under head coach Dennis Gates. Wright was on Gates’ staff at Cleveland State years ago. Missouri confirmed the news on Monday with a press release.

Missouri coach Dennis Gates is hiring Duquesne assistant Steve Wright, source told @TheFieldOf68.

Wright was on Gates’ staff at Cleveland State.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 28, 2025

“It’s great to welcome Steve and his family to Missouri,” Gates said in the release. “Having worked with him in the past, Steve is familiar with our culture and what we demand on the court, in the classroom and in the community to run a successful program. He is well-established in the grassroots of basketball and recruiting is a strength of his. Steve has also been a winner at multiple stops and we’re excited to see him continue that at Mizzou.”

“I’m thrilled to reunite with Coach Gates at the University of Missouri” Wright added. “Coach Gates is a tremendous leader and I look forward to building on the success that he and his staff have already established in their short time on campus. I’ve followed along closely during the past three seasons and there isn’t a more passionate fanbase in the country to work with. I can’t wait to get to work and join the Mizzou family.”

The Dayton, Ohio native played college ball for Bowling Green State University from 2003-06, starting 64 games across his career there. He then went to He played professionally in Germany and Finland as well. He then went on to coach at the high school, AAU, JUCO, NAIA, and NCAA DI levels. He has coached at Duquesne, Cleveland State, Bowling Green, Princeton High School, Columbus State CC, Cumberlands (NAIA), and now Missouri.