Ryan Shellhammer, Executive Director/ 17U Head Coach
Coach Ryan Shellhammer is often regarded as one of the top skills trainers in New Jersey. Currently, he also serves as the head coach of Mount Saint Mary Academy's Girls' Basketball team. 2 times he was named the Skyland Conference Girls' Coach of the Year!

Zachary Liu, Director of Recruiting
Coach Zach Liu has experience coaching at the college, high school and middle school levels. In just 5 years since the restart of the NJ Panthers boys program, he has helped 60+ student-athletes find homes at the college level, including 20+ at the scholarship level in the last 3 graduating classes alone. He was an assistant coach at Centenary University for 4 years, assistant coach at Watchung Hills for 2 years and head coach at Warren Middle School for 3 years. During his playing career he was a 4-year member of the mens basketball team at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and a 3-year starter at New Jersey Group 4 powerhouse Watchung Hills Regional High School. 

Ryean Liu, Director/ Coach
Currently serves as the varsity assistant at Watchung Hills. Since joining the Watchung Hills staff he has helped guide the program to 3 straight 20+ win seasons and a ranking of number 8 in the state. Coach Ry, known for his skill development, has dedicated his life towards helping aspiring student-athletes reach their goals and is one of the hardest working coaches in New Jersey.

 

Billy Rooney, Director/ Coach
Currently serves as the head varsity coach at Manville High School. Before he arrived at Manville, he was varsity assistant at Immaculata High School in Somerville, NJ for 4 years. He also served as the head coach and athletic coordinator at Cedar Prep School for 2 years. Prior to joining the Panthers, Coach Billy worked with Coach Brandon Crosby and the NJC Elite based in Plainfield, NJ. He is the ultimate player's coach and handles most of the strength and conditioning for the Panthers boys in our program. 

Chris Garcia, Coach/ Director
This is Coach Chris Garcia's first year on staff. He is currently a PE teacher and head boys basketball coach at JP Stevens High School in Edison, NJ. Since taking over in 2017, he has lead the Hawks to back-to-back state tourney appearances. Garcia has already produced numerous college players during his young coaching career. In 2017, his boys team was named "Defensive Team of the Year" by GMC Hoops. He was mentored by legendary coach Kris Grundy (Montgomery) and Bobby Jones of JP Stevens. One the most energetic and enthusiastic coaches around, we are excited to have this guy on board. 

Chad Gayle, Coach
This is Coach Chad's 4th year on staff. For the last 4 years he also served as the associate head coach for Georgian Court University. Prior to GCU, he was the assistant at Farleigh Dickinson - Florham Park. Before his stint at FDU, he served as an assistant at Phoebus High School in Virginia for one year. Coach Chad specializes in skills training and player development and received his degree in sports management from Hampton University in 2016. 

Daniel Roibal, Coach
Currently serves as the assistant DOBO at VMI. Coach Dan Roibal worked for the Panthers for 2 years. He also served as the graduate-assistant coach for Rutgers-Newark University for 2 years. Before landing his gig at Rutgers-Newark, Coach Dan was a 4 year member and captain of the Drew University men's basketball team. Coach Dan is working towards a master's degree in Liberal Studies.

Riley Collins, Coach

This is Riley's 2nd year on the Panthers staff. Coach Collins was recently named the graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee. Riley also served as an assistant at Marymount University in Virginia for the last 2 years. Before his coaching career, Riley played at Drew University, where he is still the all-time leading scorer in school history. Riley has a great understanding of the game and is one of the hardest working and ambitious coaches we've ever had!

Sean Rossi, Coach
This is Coach Sean Rossi's 3rd year on the staff. He actually played for the NJ Panthers as a prospective student-athlete growing up. Currently he serves as an assistant coach at Montclair State University. Before MSU, he was an assistant at Moravian College for 2 years and the graduate-assistant at Misericordia University. He also was the head coach at the US Military Academy Preparatory School for one season. During his playing career, Coach Sean Rossi was a 1,000-point scorer at Ithaca College while also leading the nation in assists.

Ryan Thurlow, Coach
This is Coach Ryan's 3rd year on the staff. He currently also serves as the varsity assistant at Saddle River Day School. Prior to joining the coaching staff at the Panthers, Coach Ryan was a head coach for Wayne PAL. Ryan is an excellent X's & O's coach, has a great understanding of the game and an eye for talent. 

Mohamed Farih, Coach

This Coach Mo's 2nd year on the staff. He also currently serves as the varsity assistant and head JV coach for St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City. Coach Mo has also worked Hoop Group Future All-American camps, Elite camps and Made Hoops camps. Coach Mo has a great eye for talent and is an excellent recruiter. Prior to his coaching career, Coach Mo played at St. Peter's University for 4 years and played one year at Kutztown as a grad-transfer. 

Al Ruiz, Coach

This is Coach Al Ruiz's first year on the staff. He also currently serves as the head varsity coach at Pompton Lakes High School. Before Pompton, Coach Ruiz was the varsity assistant coach at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City for 4 years. He has been an excellent addition to the program and has proven to have a great understanding and passion for the game and does a great job on getting players to play the right way and to play hard. 

Brandon Yu, Coach

This is Coach Brandon Yu's 2nd year on the staff. Brandon served as an assistant coach for Centenary University this past year. He specialized in player development before and during the season. Coach Brandon is a young and enthusiastic coach that relates well to the players. 

Mike Strazza, Coach

This is Coach Mike Strazza's first year on the staff. He was recently named the graduate assistant coach at Rutgers-Newark University. Before being named the assistant, Coach Strazza played 4 years at Centenary University. He is a young and ambitious coach looking to share his knowledge of the game!

Kenny Smith, Coach
One of the original Panther coaches that worked with Donnie Forster when the boys program first started in 2005. Coach Kenny has worked with some of the most talented student-athletes to come through New Jersey including, but not limited to: 2016 NBA All-Defense 2nd Team selection Hassan Whiteside, Columbia alum Mark Cisco and current Panther coach & former NCAA assist leader Sean Rossi. 

Taryn Scinto, Director of Basketball Operations

In her first year on our Panthers staff, Taryn is a long time AAU coach and former head coach at New Brunswick High School. Taryn has been a great addition to the Panther family and her organizational skills and leadership qualities make her a great person to head up our operations.