Radford’s head men’s basketball coach, Zach Chu, has officially unveiled his first coaching staff, which includes six new members joining associate head coach Marcus Jenkins.
Collectively, Chu’s full-time staff of seven boasts over 90 years of coaching experience, which encompasses multiple tenures in both the NBA and elite college basketball programs.
“The energy of our team drives our success, starting with the leadership from our coaching staff,” Chu stated. “As we navigate the evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics, our staff structure must naturally adapt as well.”
“As we adjust to the changing requirements of the modern game, I firmly believe that our coaching staff will focus on building meaningful relationships with our student-athletes, supporting their holistic development,” Chu added.
Jordan Surenkamp – Assistant Coach
Jordan Surenkamp brings nearly a decade of NBA experience to the Highlanders. Most recently, he was an assistant coach with the Birmingham Squadron, the G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Previously, Surenkamp was the head coach of the Greensboro Swarm for three years, where over 15 players advanced to NBA opportunities. His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at South Alabama, eventually leading him to significant roles with the Charlotte Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets.
Josh Adel – Assistant Coach
Joining the Highlanders from the University of Minnesota, Josh Adel has dedicated the last 11 years to the Gophers, rising through the ranks from operations director to assistant coach. He contributed to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT Championship during his tenure.
Before Minnesota, he worked as a video coordinator at Florida International and spent five years with the Florida Gators, where he was part of three NCAA Tournament teams.
Conor Dow – Assistant Coach and Director of Recruiting
Conor Dow, who has a diverse coaching background across various levels, joins as an assistant coach and director of recruiting. His most recent role was at the NBA Latin America Academy, where he oversaw player development.
Dow has also coached at institutions like Johns Hopkins and Ithaca College, and led the Saskatchewan Rattlers to notable improvements as an interim head coach in the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
David Watkins – Assistant Coach and Special Assistant to the Head Coach
David Watkins begins his first season with Radford after a successful stint as an assistant at Daytona State College, where he directed a top-ranked defensive unit. He helped the Falcons achieve a record of 56-8 and back-to-back conference championships.
Watkins also contributed to VCU’s Atlantic 10 championship run and has a history of success as a player and coach, including a leadership role at the University of New Hampshire.
Chase Ridenour – Operations Specialist
Chase Ridenour comes to Radford following a year as a graduate assistant and video coordinator at Western Carolina University. He previously served as a student assistant at Maryville University, focusing on player development.
A talented basketball player in high school, Ridenour finished as the all-time leading scorer at his school and was a state finalist for Mr. Basketball.
Jack Feld – Operations Specialist
Jack Feld strengthens the Highlanders’ staff with his analytical expertise, gained through seven years in various analytical and scouting roles in college programs and the NBA. He recently graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in mathematics and statistics.
A Dallas native, Feld has a solid background in basketball, having played at Highland Park High School.
