Austin Spurs Finalized 2026 Coaching Staff

The G League team announced new hires and staff promotions ahead of their upcoming 2026-27 season opener.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in People

Austin Spurs Finalized 2026 Coaching Staff

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Austin Spurs head coach Chris Kent has finalized the team's coaching staff for the upcoming season. The announcements include the hiring of new assistant coaches and the promotion of existing support staff members.

Why it matters

Rounding out the coaching staff is a critical step for the Austin Spurs as they prepare for the start of their G League campaign. These personnel decisions provide the structure necessary for team development and strategy.

The new staff appointments include three years of experience from Carson Shanks with the New York Knicks and two years of service by Tristen Licon as a Texas graduate assistant. These figures represent the professional backgrounds currently fueling the team's operations.

The players

Chris Kent

He is the head coach of the Austin Spurs responsible for the finalization of the organization's coaching appointments.

Carson Shanks

He is the newly appointed associate head coach who previously served as an assistant director of video and analytics for the New York Knicks.

Tristen Licon

He is the new player development and performance coordinator who worked as a basketball operations assistant for Austin last season.

Jackie Hua

She serves as the newly appointed head athletic trainer for the Austin Spurs organization.

Kevin Williamson

He serves as the newly appointed strength and conditioning coach for the team.

The details

The Austin Spurs have officially hired Carson Shanks as associate head coach and promoted Tristen Licon to player development and performance coordinator. Additionally, Jackie Hua has joined the organization as head athletic trainer, while Kevin Williamson takes on the role of strength and conditioning coach.

Carson Shanks participated in the Final Four tournament in 2018.
Tristen Licon was retained on Rodney Terry's staff in 2024.
Sean Miller replaced Rodney Terry at Texas in 2025.
The Austin Spurs announced the new coaching staff on October 2, 2026.
The Austin Spurs open the 2026 season on November 8, 2026.

Market Landscape

This staff reorganization reflects the broader trend of the NBA G League acting as a primary testing ground for coaching talent. The team's integration of former collegiate and NBA front-office staff highlights the ongoing competitive pursuit of specialized talent in professional basketball.

Fans and observers can look forward to a revamped developmental strategy as the organization prepares for tip-off. These personnel changes represent the internal team shift that will dictate the product on the floor throughout the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Building a stable coaching infrastructure is essential for any sports organization aiming to improve player development. This off-season focus ensures the team is prepared to execute its strategic objectives when the season officially begins.