Louisiana Tech basketball names former assistant coach Talvin Hester as next coach

Louisiana Tech basketball has hired Texas Tech assistant coach Talvin Hester as its next coach.

Hester will be introduced Tuesday at noon in the Jarrell Room of the Davison Athletics Complex. The public is invited and doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

Hester, 43, will replace Eric Konkol, who was hired last week by Tulsa.

Athletic director Eric Wood hired football coach Sonny Cumbie in November away from Texas Tech.

Hester was on Konkol's staff for three seasons before heading to Texas Tech for one season. During his time with the Bulldogs and Konkol, Hester was a part of the 2020-21 team that won the Conference USA West Division title and the consolation of the National Invitation Tournament. Each season that Hester was a part of the staff, the Bulldogs finished the season with over 20 wins.

At Texas Tech, the Red Raiders (27-10) earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament after losing to Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament Championship. Texas Tech made it to the Sweet 16, but lost to No. 2 Duke.

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Hester has been an assistant since 2002..

Hester was at Oral Roberts in 2017-18. Hester recruited Kevin Obanor, who helped the Golden Eagles to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2021,and after three season Obanor joined Hester at Texas Tech.

Hester worked for Kelvin Sampson at Houston from 2014-17 and one season at Texas State (2013-14) and Stephen F. Austin (2012-13).

Hester was with San Jose State (2010-12), and in his first year with the Spartans they earned their first postseason berth since 1996.

Other stops include Prairie View A&M (2005-10), Texas College (2004-05), Texas Wesleyan (2003-04) and North Lake College (2002-03).

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Louisiana Tech basketball hires Talvin Hester as next coach