Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 509-313-4215
Stephen Gentry enters his sixth season as an assistant coach on Mark Few's staff in 2026-27, having helped Gonzaga compile a 143-31 record (.822 winning percentage) during his first five seasons as an assistant. Gentry's primary responsibilities include overseeing the Bulldogs' offense and player development, with an emphasis on the guards.
Gentry helped Gonzaga to a 31-4 record in 2025-26, as the Bulldogs captured both the West Coast Conference regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 28th consecutive season. Gonzaga earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, defeated Kennesaw State in the opening round and finished the season ranked No. 18 in the final Associated Press poll.
Gentry's impact has particularly been felt on the offensive where he has overseen some of the countries best offenses. Last season, the Bulldogs averaged 84.3 points per game and ranked 19th nationally in scoring. In 24-25 Gonzaga averaged 86.0 points per game, the second-highest scoring average in the country, and posted a 1.24 points-per-possession mark, the second-highest offensive efficiency figure in program history. As an assistant coach Gentry has coordinated 6 offenses that have ended the season top-10 in the country in offensive efficiency.
Gentry’s work with Gonzaga's guards has been a central part of his responsibilities since returning to the program in 2021. During the 2025-26 season, he helped oversee the GU backcourt, while continuing to develop a roster that blended experienced transfers with returning players and younger talent. Gentry mentored two young guards – Fogle and Saint-Supery – who both earned spots on the WCC All-Freshman team. Gonzaga, during Gentry’s time on staff, is 3rd in the country in player development per Evan Miya.
Gentry oversaw the development of guards Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman during the 2024-25 season. Nembhard produced one of the most prolific passing seasons in Gonzaga history, setting program and West Coast Conference records for single-season assists, season assist average and single-game assists. He led the nation with 344 assists, the fifth-highest single-season total in NCAA Division I history, and finished his career with 882 assists, 22nd all-time in NCAA Division I history. Nembhard earned First Team All-WCC and First Team All-District honors from the NABC and was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award.
With ties throughout the West Coast and Mid-West Gentry’s recruiting and evaluation efforts have been recognized nationally with him ranking as the 11th best recruiter in the country per 247 Sports.
Before returning to Gonzaga in 2021, Gentry spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Illinois. During his time with the Illini, Gentry helped oversee schematic changes on both ends of the floor that contributed to a dramatic turnaround. Illinois improved from a combined 39 percent winning percentage in 2017-18 and 2018-19 to a 79 percent winning percentage during Gentry's two seasons on staff. The Illini's nine-win improvement from 2018-19 to 2019-20 was the largest year-to-year improvement in the country.
Gentry served as Illinois' offensive coordinator during the 2020-21 season, helping the Illini produce a Top-10 offense nationally in KenPom efficiency and average more than 80 points per game. He oversaw a guard group that included First Team All-American and Bob Cousy Award winner Ayo Dosunmu and Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Andre Curbelo.
During Gentry's two seasons at Illinois, the Illini won 72 percent of their Big Ten games, posted back-to-back 20-win seasons and earned consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Illinois won the 2021 Big Ten Tournament championship and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. The Illini finished the 2020-21 season ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, behind Gonzaga.
Gentry previously served as Gonzaga's Director of Operations during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. The Bulldogs went 65-9 during his two seasons in that role, winning back-to-back WCC regular-season championships and advancing to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament both seasons.
The 2017-18 Bulldogs went 32-5, won the WCC regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. In 2018-19, Gonzaga went 33-4, posted a perfect 16-0 WCC record, won the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, held the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll for five weeks and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament before advancing to the Elite Eight.
Prior to his first stint at Gonzaga, Gentry spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin and one season at Oklahoma State. His four seasons working with head coach Brad Underwood produced a combined 109-27 record, three conference championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances.
Gentry spent six seasons at Texas A&M, including his final two as the Director of Basketball Operations under head coach Billy Kennedy. Previously, he worked four years as the Aggies' video coordinator under former head coach Mark Turgeon. During his six seasons at Texas A&M, the Aggies won 129 games, advanced to four NCAA Tournaments and developed three future NBA Draft picks.
Gentry began his coaching career with one season as a video intern for the NBA's Miami Heat under Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra. The Heat won the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference during his season with the franchise.
Gentry played four seasons at Gonzaga for Coach Few, lettering three times as a guard. During his playing career, the Bulldogs compiled a 107-20 record, won four consecutive WCC championships and made four NCAA Tournament appearances. Gonzaga advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2006 and reached the second round in each of his other three seasons.
A native of Fort Scott, Kan., Gentry played high school basketball at Fort Scott High School, where he set the school record with 1,060 career points. He graduated from Gonzaga in 2005 with a degree in Sports Management and earned his Master’s in Sport and Athletic Administration in 2006.
Gentry is married to the former Leah Wahlgren, who played college basketball at Oklahoma State. They have a daughter, Svea, and son, Gunnar.
