ANDERSON, S.C. – Anderson University Men's Basketball Head Coach
Ben Thompson and the Anderson University Athletics Department has announced the addition of two new assistant coaches
Rick Thompson and
Micah Banks to cap the 2026-27 Men's Basketball Coaching Staff.
MEET THE COACHES
Rick Thompson
Rick Thompson joins Anderson's staff with 40+ years of valuable coaching experience and mentorship. Prior to Anderson, he was an assistant coach at Emory & Henry and SUNY Canton. Thompson assisted the Wasps to a Top 10 national finish in multiple categories including points, assists and rebounding margin. During his time at SUNY Canton, he assisted the Roos to their first-ever conference championship at the NCAA level in addition to the Inaugural American Collegiate Athletic Association Conference Championship and program's first ECAC post-season playoff win in school history.
"Not very often do you get to work alongside your hero every day, but I am blessed to get to work alongside my Dad." said Head Coach
Ben Thompson. "Coach Thompson was a legendary high school coach in Virginia and is an incredible Christian influence on my life, as he will be on our gentlemen student-athletes as well. We look forward to having him join our staff at AU."
While at Canton, the program led the state of New York in attendance for Division III, posted the two highest GPAs in program history as well as a 100% graduation rate. The Roos also saw a record five Specialty Student Award Winners, two ACAA All-Academic Team members and received votes while being named Team to Watch in D-III News Top 25 National Poll for the first time in program history.
Prior to his time at Canon, Thompson garnered three decades of coaching experience in Southwest Virginia that included a 1991 VHSL State Championship at Lebanon High School. He was named the NHSL Coach of the Year in addition to a NHSCA All-Star Game Coach while coaching a total of nin3 1,000-point scorers, including six at LHS. Most recently, Thompson served as the Head Boys' and Girls' Basketball Coach at St. Paul High School where he reached three VHSL Regional Tournaments, the first which came after a 20-year absence. He has also held coaching positions at Pocahontas and Honaker, as well as serving as the Athletics Director at Castlewood High School.
Thompson continued his playing career at UVA Wise, formerly Clinch Valley College, where he lettered in basketball and tennis.
"I am thankful to have another opportunity to coach alongside my son as be a part of what Coach Thompson is building at Anderson University." said
Rick Thompson. "AU is an outstanding Christian University, and I am looking forward to having a part in working towards greater success in the SAC, as well as the region, and molding the lives of young men for Christ."
Micah Banks
A 2023 graduate of Emory & Henry, Banks begins his collegiate coaching career with the Trojans after spending the last two years as a personal trainer in Greenville, S.C.
"Micah is one of the best young men that I know and is a high character individual." added B. Thompson. "He is probably the hardest worker that I have ever had the privilege to coach in my career and we are incredibly excited to have him join our staff for his first collegiate coaching job. Being a native to South Carolina and understanding our system, inside and out, Coach Banks will be an incredible asset to our program here at Anderson."
After graduating from St. Joseph's Catholic School in 2017, Banks continued his playing career at Columbia International University (2017-2018) and Emory & Henry (2019-2023) where he was a member of the men's basketball program. During his time as a student-athlete, Banks was a two-time team captain and a 1,000-point scorer.
"I am grateful for this opportunity to be able to help and serve this team." said Banks. "I am looking forward to what is to come this season, as I know that this is a great conference. I am excited to join Coach Thompson's staff and learn the ins and outs of being a college basketball coach."
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The 2026-27 campaign tips off Monday, Nov. 9, when Anderson hosts Morehouse College in the first matchup between the two programs. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Abney Athletic Center.
