MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College Director of Athletics Larry Hiser announced the appointment of Anthony Fairhurst as the Pioneers' interim head men's basketball coach Friday (May 2) afternoon. Fairhurst takes over for Jon VanderWal who stepped down earlier this week to take the head coaching position at Trine University.

"I am pleased that Anthony accepted the role of interim head coach. He's worked diligently and with a plan since accepting the position," Hiser said. "Anthony is responsive to the players, the parents and the administration, while maintaining a recruiting presence at the same time. He's got great energy which helps him get so much accomplished. We are in good hands with his leadership."
 
Fairhurst just completed his third season as VanderWal's top assistant at Marietta. Prior to Marietta, Fairhurst served as an assistant coach at the University of Charleston for one year, Ohio Dominican University for two seasons, and three years at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Before beginning his college coaching career, Fairhurst was the head junior varsity and assistant varsity basketball coach at Ashland High School.
 
Fairhurst played football during his days as a collegiate athlete, playing wide receiver for Baldwin Wallace University. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management in 2012 and earned a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Mount Vernon Nazarene in 2018.
 
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.