Eastern Michigan Athletics
Men’s Basketball Names Tony Harvey as Assistant Coach
9/1/2020 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The South Bend, Ind. native spent the last three seasons at UIC
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Tony Harvey returns to Ypsilanti as an Eastern Michigan University men's basketball assistant coach, Head Coach Rob Murphy announced today, Sept. 1. Harvey spent three seasons (1996-99) as an Eagle's assistant over 20 years ago.
"Coach Harvey will make an immediate impact in all areas of our program" Murphy said. "He's a proven winner, great coach, and effective communicator who brings a great deal of experience and relationships throughout the country."
Harvey possesses more than 25 years of coaching experience with his previous stop at UIC for the last three seasons as an assistant coach. During his first season, Harvey helped guide the Flames to a 20-win season, the first time since 2004, and a trip to the CIT championship game. Three UIC players were named to the CIT All-Tournament team with two further their professional basketball career in the NBA G-League in Tai Odiase and Dikembe Dixon. Last season, the Flames notched 18 wins and were the Horizon League Tournament runner-up. Harvey mentored Tarkus Ferguson, who was a two-time Horizon all-league member, and Markus Ottey, a Horizon League first team all-defense selection.
Before his stint in Chicago, Harvey spent four seasons as the head coach at Texas Southern University. In 2009-10, he guided the Tigers to the SWAC Championship game and the program's first winning season in seven years. His tenacious attacking defense was fourth in the nation in steals per game at 10.3, a shade below national leader Missouri's 10.9.
TSU posted the 12th best turnaround in the country in 2009-10 under Coach Harvey. Coming off a 7-25 season in 2008-09, the Tigers went 17-16 in 2009-10. TSU's 9.5-game turnaround was tied with Murray State as the 12th most improved team in the nation. It was TSU's first winning season since 2002-03.
He led the Tigers to their first 20-win season in 15 years during the 2010-11 campaign. That year, Harvey was also named the SWAC Coach of the Year while the team notched a NIT bid.
Prior to his arrival in Houston, Harvey spent five years as an assistant coach and the associate head coach at Missouri. He helped bring in six recruiting classes that were each ranked in the top-10 nationally, while helping the Tigers to reach the NCAA Tournament four consecutive times between 2000-03. Two of those MU teams advanced to the Sweet 16, and the 2002 squad played in the Elite 8.
During this time in Columbia, Harvey was named one of the top-five recruiting assistants in the country and one of the hardest working assistants three times by Insiderhoops.com. In both 2001-02 and 2002-03, Lindy's Magazine pegged Harvey as prepared for a head coaching position.
Before joining Missouri, Harvey enjoyed three seasons at Eastern on Coach Milton Barnes' staff. EMU posted two 20-win seasons in those three years and made an appearance in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, after claiming the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship. The Eagles went 23-10 and were the MAC runners-up during the 1996-97 campaign. Harvey coached two EMU greats and NBA standouts – Earl Boykins and Derrick Dial.
In 1996, Harvey had a short stint as the associate head coach at Compton Community College. Prior to that, he was an assistant at McNeese State (1994-96), and helped guide the Cowboys to their first winning season in 10 years, after it went 15-12 in 1995-96. While at McNeese State, he signed now retired NBA All-Star Ben Wallace. Harvey also coached at Southern University for two seasons (1992-94). There, he mentored JaVaughn Scales, who led the NCAA Division I in scoring and rebounding. Southern also won the SWAC tournament and earned an NCAA bid in first year in college basketball.
"I'm excited that I'm able to accept the privilege of rejoining an enriched basketball culture here at Eastern Michigan University and the Mid-American Conference," Harvey said. "As a seasoned leader and former head coach, I am truly looking forward to sharing Coach Murphy's vision to sustain a winning culture while striving to win championships, developing our young men into future leaders by championing academic success and career development."
Harvey started his coaching career in 1990 at Benton Harbor High School in Benton Harbor, Mich. He helped build Benton Harbor into a dynasty, reaching the state championship game three straight years. In that three-year span, he mentored seven Division I players. Harvey also coached at Martin Luther King Junior High School for one season (1992-93).
A native of South Bend, Ind., Harvey grew up in Benton Harbor and graduated from BHHS in 1983. He played on the district and regional basketball championship teams for the Tigers. Harvey received a bachelor's degree in Health/Physical Education with a minor from Cameron University in Lawton, Okla.
"Coach Harvey will make an immediate impact in all areas of our program" Murphy said. "He's a proven winner, great coach, and effective communicator who brings a great deal of experience and relationships throughout the country."
Harvey possesses more than 25 years of coaching experience with his previous stop at UIC for the last three seasons as an assistant coach. During his first season, Harvey helped guide the Flames to a 20-win season, the first time since 2004, and a trip to the CIT championship game. Three UIC players were named to the CIT All-Tournament team with two further their professional basketball career in the NBA G-League in Tai Odiase and Dikembe Dixon. Last season, the Flames notched 18 wins and were the Horizon League Tournament runner-up. Harvey mentored Tarkus Ferguson, who was a two-time Horizon all-league member, and Markus Ottey, a Horizon League first team all-defense selection.
Before his stint in Chicago, Harvey spent four seasons as the head coach at Texas Southern University. In 2009-10, he guided the Tigers to the SWAC Championship game and the program's first winning season in seven years. His tenacious attacking defense was fourth in the nation in steals per game at 10.3, a shade below national leader Missouri's 10.9.
TSU posted the 12th best turnaround in the country in 2009-10 under Coach Harvey. Coming off a 7-25 season in 2008-09, the Tigers went 17-16 in 2009-10. TSU's 9.5-game turnaround was tied with Murray State as the 12th most improved team in the nation. It was TSU's first winning season since 2002-03.
He led the Tigers to their first 20-win season in 15 years during the 2010-11 campaign. That year, Harvey was also named the SWAC Coach of the Year while the team notched a NIT bid.
Prior to his arrival in Houston, Harvey spent five years as an assistant coach and the associate head coach at Missouri. He helped bring in six recruiting classes that were each ranked in the top-10 nationally, while helping the Tigers to reach the NCAA Tournament four consecutive times between 2000-03. Two of those MU teams advanced to the Sweet 16, and the 2002 squad played in the Elite 8.
During this time in Columbia, Harvey was named one of the top-five recruiting assistants in the country and one of the hardest working assistants three times by Insiderhoops.com. In both 2001-02 and 2002-03, Lindy's Magazine pegged Harvey as prepared for a head coaching position.
Before joining Missouri, Harvey enjoyed three seasons at Eastern on Coach Milton Barnes' staff. EMU posted two 20-win seasons in those three years and made an appearance in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, after claiming the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship. The Eagles went 23-10 and were the MAC runners-up during the 1996-97 campaign. Harvey coached two EMU greats and NBA standouts – Earl Boykins and Derrick Dial.
In 1996, Harvey had a short stint as the associate head coach at Compton Community College. Prior to that, he was an assistant at McNeese State (1994-96), and helped guide the Cowboys to their first winning season in 10 years, after it went 15-12 in 1995-96. While at McNeese State, he signed now retired NBA All-Star Ben Wallace. Harvey also coached at Southern University for two seasons (1992-94). There, he mentored JaVaughn Scales, who led the NCAA Division I in scoring and rebounding. Southern also won the SWAC tournament and earned an NCAA bid in first year in college basketball.
"I'm excited that I'm able to accept the privilege of rejoining an enriched basketball culture here at Eastern Michigan University and the Mid-American Conference," Harvey said. "As a seasoned leader and former head coach, I am truly looking forward to sharing Coach Murphy's vision to sustain a winning culture while striving to win championships, developing our young men into future leaders by championing academic success and career development."
Harvey started his coaching career in 1990 at Benton Harbor High School in Benton Harbor, Mich. He helped build Benton Harbor into a dynasty, reaching the state championship game three straight years. In that three-year span, he mentored seven Division I players. Harvey also coached at Martin Luther King Junior High School for one season (1992-93).
A native of South Bend, Ind., Harvey grew up in Benton Harbor and graduated from BHHS in 1983. He played on the district and regional basketball championship teams for the Tigers. Harvey received a bachelor's degree in Health/Physical Education with a minor from Cameron University in Lawton, Okla.
| The Tony Harvey File | ||
| Name: | Tony Harvey | |
| High School: | Benton Harbor - Benton Harbor, Mich. | |
| College: | North Dakota State College of Science – Associate's Degree in Health/Physical Education, 1987 | |
| Cameron University – Bachelor's Degree in Health/Physical Education, Minor in Biology, 1989 | ||
| Coaching/Playing Experience | ||
| Year | School/Company | Position |
| 2020-Pres. | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Coach |
| 2017-2020 | University of Illinois – Chicago | Assistant Head Coach |
| 2012-13 | Comcast | TV Analyst |
| 2008-12 | Texas Southern University | Head Coach |
| 2006-07 | MAC Sports Management Agency | Director of Basketball Operations |
| 1999-2004 | University of Missouri | Associate Head Coach |
| 1996-99 | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Coach |
| 1996 | Compton Community College | Associate Head Coach |
| 1994-96 | McNeese State University | Assistant Coach |
| 1992-94 | Southern University | Assistant Coach |
| 1992-93 | Martin Luther King Junior High School | Head Boy's Basketball Coach |
| 1990-93 | Benton Harbor High School | Assistant Boy's Basketball Coach |
2025-26 Field of 68 Men's Basketball Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles
Tuesday, October 21
Men's Basketball Alumni Game All Call
Tuesday, October 21
2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Cinematic Recap
Saturday, October 11