Rome native Chad Warner, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, has been tapped to lead Shorter College’s men’s basketball program
At Hampden-Sydney, Warner served as first assistant for the college’s nationally known NCAA Division 3 basketball program. He was involved in all aspects of that program, including recruiting, coaching, scouting, travel, player development, and strength and conditioning.
His previous coaching experience includes two years as an assistant coach at The College of William and Mary and a previous stint at Hampden-Sydney when the team received the No. 1 ranking in America and the conference championship. He served one year as a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia and four years as associate head coach for the Darlington School.
Warner graduated from the University of Georgia in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. There, he was a walk-on as a freshman. He played basketball at the Darlington School prior to his graduation in 1994. He served as a team captain for two years and earned all-area and honorable mention all-state and Player of the Year team honors. A two-sport athlete at Darlington, Warner finished second in the state track finals in the 800 during his senior year.
Warner and his wife, Karin, have two children.
Michael Slonaker - Assistant Coach
Michael will serve as the Hawks’ recruiting coordinator and also be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program including, scouting, game planning and individual development.
Slonaker recently graduated from Mercer University, where he played point guard under his father, Coach Mark Slonaker, who coached Warner as a player at Georgia. Michael played four seasons for the Bears as a point guard. While at Mercer, he earned the reputation as a gritty floor general who could knock down the open shot connecting on 40% of his three point opportunities his senior season.
Michael was a part of the 2003 Mercer basketball team that set a school record for wins (23) and went on to win the only league championship in school history.
“Michael has been around basketball his whole life,” said Mark, his father and coach at Mercer. “He has the ability to set goals, lead with perseverance and mental toughness, and have the basketball IQ to take any team far. He’s been in every role and will be able take that and have a relationship with the players unlike any other.”
