Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Names Rob Norris Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
5/14/2012 3:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
New assistant spent six years on the Canisius College men’s basketball staff
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Rob Norris, the associate head men's basketball coach at Canisius College for the past three seasons, has been named an assistant women's basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University, new Head Coach Tory Verdi announced today, May 14, 2012.
“Rob brings a wealth of knowledge of the game and a tremendous amount of experience to Eastern,” said Verdi. “I think we hit a home run with this hire! Everybody on the men's side knew of Rob's work ethic and passion for the game. There's a reason why he was named associate head coach at Canisius.”
The 35-year-old Norris brings a wealth of experience to Ypsilanti, having worked the previous 11 years at four different men's basketball programs. A 1999 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he will be responsible for working the Eagles' guards and serve as the team's defensive coordinator.
Norris spent six years at Canisius College, the final three as the Golden Griffins' associate head coach, being elevated to that title in July 2009.
He was mainly responsible for the team's scheduling and also worked closely with the head coach in game-planning, opponent scouting and daily practice planning. Norris also had a heavy hand in the recruiting efforts of the Griffs. One of his first recruits was former guard Frank Turner, who was named the MAAC's Co-Rookie of the Year after his freshman season in 2006-07 and closed out his career in Blue and Gold ranked among the school's top-10 in 12 different statistical categories. He also played a key role in the recruitment of the Class of 2011, a group of five players that all graduated from the College in three years. Three of those players, Julius Coles, Elton Frazier and Greg Logins, all went on to score more than 1,000 career points during their time as a Griff.
Prior to his arrival at Canisius, Norris spent two years at Towson University where he worked under Head Coach Pat Kennedy. Norris spent a total of five seasons working with Kennedy, starting out as the film coordinator at DePaul when Kennedy was the head coach there before traveling to Montana, where he was the director of basketball operations for Kennedy's staff in Missoula, Mont.
While at Towson, Norris played a major role in the recruitment of Tim Crossin, who was named to the CAA's All-Rookie Team and was honored as the CBSSportsline.com CAA Rookie of the Year. He also had the chance to work directly with former Towson guard Gary Neal, who now plays professionally for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs
A native of Rochester, N.Y., Norris attended Fairleigh Dickinson University for two years before transferring to IUP for his junior and senior years. A four-year starter at guard, Norris earned a spot on the Northeast Conference's 1995-96 All-Newcomers Team after averaging 11.0 points per game for FDU as a freshman.
In his senior year, he was named captain at IUP and helped direct the Indians to a 22-5 record, the third-best in school history. He closed out his collegiate career with over 1,000 points, 300 assists and 300 rebounds.
Norris is a graduate of Rochester's McQuaid Jesuit High School where he was a four-year varsity player and a McDonald's All-American nominee. A two-time all-state and All-City Catholic League selection and a first-team All-Greater Rochester choice in his senior year, he led McQuaid to a pair of Section V championships.
THE ROB NORRIS FILE
Full Name: Robert A. Norris, Jr.
Born: Jan. 20, 1977 (Geneva, N.Y.)
High School: McQuaid Jesuit High School (Rochester, N.Y.)
College: Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Graduated in 1999 - bachelor's in history/pre-law)
Canisius College (Graduated in 2009 - master's in sports administration)
Coaching Experience
YEAR SCHOOL JOB TITLE
2011-12 Canisius College Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
2010-11 Canisius College Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
2009-10 Canisius College Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
2008-09 Canisius College Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
2007-08 Canisius College Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
2006-07 Canisius College Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
2005-06 Towson University Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
2004-05 Towson University Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
2003-04 University of Montana Director of Men's Basketball Operations
2002-03 University of Montana Director of Men's Basketball Operations
2001-02 DePaul University Film Coordinator
“Rob brings a wealth of knowledge of the game and a tremendous amount of experience to Eastern,” said Verdi. “I think we hit a home run with this hire! Everybody on the men's side knew of Rob's work ethic and passion for the game. There's a reason why he was named associate head coach at Canisius.”
The 35-year-old Norris brings a wealth of experience to Ypsilanti, having worked the previous 11 years at four different men's basketball programs. A 1999 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he will be responsible for working the Eagles' guards and serve as the team's defensive coordinator.
Norris spent six years at Canisius College, the final three as the Golden Griffins' associate head coach, being elevated to that title in July 2009.
He was mainly responsible for the team's scheduling and also worked closely with the head coach in game-planning, opponent scouting and daily practice planning. Norris also had a heavy hand in the recruiting efforts of the Griffs. One of his first recruits was former guard Frank Turner, who was named the MAAC's Co-Rookie of the Year after his freshman season in 2006-07 and closed out his career in Blue and Gold ranked among the school's top-10 in 12 different statistical categories. He also played a key role in the recruitment of the Class of 2011, a group of five players that all graduated from the College in three years. Three of those players, Julius Coles, Elton Frazier and Greg Logins, all went on to score more than 1,000 career points during their time as a Griff.
Prior to his arrival at Canisius, Norris spent two years at Towson University where he worked under Head Coach Pat Kennedy. Norris spent a total of five seasons working with Kennedy, starting out as the film coordinator at DePaul when Kennedy was the head coach there before traveling to Montana, where he was the director of basketball operations for Kennedy's staff in Missoula, Mont.
While at Towson, Norris played a major role in the recruitment of Tim Crossin, who was named to the CAA's All-Rookie Team and was honored as the CBSSportsline.com CAA Rookie of the Year. He also had the chance to work directly with former Towson guard Gary Neal, who now plays professionally for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs
A native of Rochester, N.Y., Norris attended Fairleigh Dickinson University for two years before transferring to IUP for his junior and senior years. A four-year starter at guard, Norris earned a spot on the Northeast Conference's 1995-96 All-Newcomers Team after averaging 11.0 points per game for FDU as a freshman.
In his senior year, he was named captain at IUP and helped direct the Indians to a 22-5 record, the third-best in school history. He closed out his collegiate career with over 1,000 points, 300 assists and 300 rebounds.
Norris is a graduate of Rochester's McQuaid Jesuit High School where he was a four-year varsity player and a McDonald's All-American nominee. A two-time all-state and All-City Catholic League selection and a first-team All-Greater Rochester choice in his senior year, he led McQuaid to a pair of Section V championships.
THE ROB NORRIS FILE
Full Name: Robert A. Norris, Jr.
Born: Jan. 20, 1977 (Geneva, N.Y.)
High School: McQuaid Jesuit High School (Rochester, N.Y.)
College: Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Graduated in 1999 - bachelor's in history/pre-law)
Canisius College (Graduated in 2009 - master's in sports administration)
Coaching Experience
YEAR SCHOOL JOB TITLE
2011-12 Canisius College Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
2010-11 Canisius College Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
2009-10 Canisius College Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
2008-09 Canisius College Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
2007-08 Canisius College Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
2006-07 Canisius College Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
2005-06 Towson University Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
2004-05 Towson University Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
2003-04 University of Montana Director of Men's Basketball Operations
2002-03 University of Montana Director of Men's Basketball Operations
2001-02 DePaul University Film Coordinator
Women's Basketball Practice Highlights Week of Aug. 4, 2025
Sunday, August 10
Inaugural Bowling with the Eagles Event
Friday, August 08
Women's Basketball Practice Highlights Week of July 28, 2025
Friday, August 08
2025 Women's Basketball Alumni Panel
Wednesday, July 30