Drew Church joined the Central Washington University men's basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2018. This year will be his 14th season coaching at the college level.
The Wildcats have been successful on & off the hardwood during his tenure. On the court, Church has served as the defense coordinator for the Wildcats since the 19-20 season. This past season, the Wildcats held their opponents to 70ppg. The Wildcats were one of the best rebounding teams in the conference grabbing just under 32 defensive rebounds per game and securing 73% of all defensive rebounds. Both were good for second overall in the GNAC. Matt Poquette finished as the second-best defensive rebounder in the GNAC (85) while Samaad Hector finished third in total blocks (20) in GNAC play.
In 2021, the Wildcats led the GNAC in defensive rebounding. They averaged 28 defensive rebounds per game and secured 75% of all defensive rebounds. The Wildcats finished fourth in the GNAC in Field Goal Percentage Defense, limiting their opponents to just under 45% in GNAC play.
In 2019, CWU was one of the best defensive teams in the conference. They held their opponents under 70 points per game for the first time since 2010. CWU was among the GNAC’s best in scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, 3pt field goal percentage defense, and defensive rebounding. Senior guard Gamaun Boykin finished fourth in the conference with 30 steals and sophomore forward Matt Poquette finished fifth in the conference with 21 blocks in GNAC play.
Besides serving as the defensive coordinator, Church’s other priorities are recruiting & academics. The Wildcats have placed eight players on the All-GNAC list during his tenure. In 2021, senior guard Xavier Smith was crowned GNAC MVP and unanimous first team All-GNAC. Last season, the Wildcats tied for a GNAC best: four All-GNAC performers. In the classroom, the Wildcats have won four straight GNAC Academic Conference Championships for the highest team GPA. In 2019, the Wildcats won the GNAC Academic Conference Championship for the first time in program history.
Prior to CWU, Church spent seven years at Lewis-Clark State College. During Church’s tenure with the Warriors, LCSC advanced to the NAIA National Tournament five times, including a Sweet 16 berth during the 2015-16 season, while also claiming three Frontier Conference regular-season titles and two tournament championships. He helped the Warriors to the best winning percentage (.852) in program history in 2015-16 and one of four top seeds at the national tournament that season as well.
In addition to coaching nine NAIA All-Americans and 20 All-Conference performers, Church helped LCSC to an 18-0 start and a No. 3 national ranking in 2013. Most notably, former Warrior & Frontier Conference Player of the Year, Jacob Wiley signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association in 2017.
During his summers at Lewis-Clark State College, Church was involved with one of the best AAU programs in the Pacific Northwest, Select Basketball. Church was the head coach of the Select Basketball “White” 17U team located in Boise, Idaho. During his time with Select Basketball, Church worked with 50+ student athletes who went on to play college basketball.
During his playing career Church was an NWAC East Region all-conference and all-star game selection while at Columbia Basin College. He averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, and two assists as a sophomore at CBC.
Church earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration from Lewis-Clark State College in 2013 and a Master’s in Organizational Management from Wayne State College in 2015. He and his wife Chelsey reside in Ellensburg with their son, Niles.
