Mike Wolf, BTN volleyball announcer, June 12, 2012

Longtime Michigan State men's basketball assistant Dwayne Stephens was promoted to associate head coach Tuesday. Stephens, a four-year letterwinner with the Spartans (1989-93), will begin his 10th season on the Spartan bench this year.

[MSUSpartans.com: Dwayne Stephens promoted to associate head coach]

"Dwayne Stephens has certainly earned this promotion," Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said in a school release. "Over the last nine years, he's continued to improve as a coach and expanded his responsibilities, while patiently waiting his turn."

Stephens has coached in four Final Fours, one with Marquette (2003) and three with Michigan State (2005, 2009, 2010). As a player, Stephens was voted Most Valuable Player by his teammates during his junior season after averaging 11.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.