University of the Pacific’s men’s basketball program will have a new look for the 2025-26 season with a revamped roster and the addition of new assistant coaches Brandon Cole and Charles Hantoumakos.

The coaches bring extensive recruiting experience in California—where Cole has spent the majority of his career—and in Canada, the home country of Hantoumakos and Head Coach Dave Smart. The duo has helped Pacific sign 13 newcomers to date. Fifth-year Canadian senior Elias Ralph ’26, a health and exercise science major, is the team’s lone returnee.

The 2025-26 roster currently features six players from Canada and four from California.

Hantoumakos, from Toronto, is the fourth Canadian on Pacific’s basketball staff, including Smart, Assistant Coach Craig Beaucamp and Assistant Coach and Director of Player Development Zach Angelini.

Hantoumakos has spent 20 years coaching basketball, including the last 10 with Canadian national teams. Most recently, he was on the U19 Junior National Team staff in 2025 and the U18 Junior National Team staff that earned a bronze medal at the 2024 FIBA AmericaCup.

In addition to his national team duties, Hantoumakos was the program director and head coach of Fort Erie International Academy from 2021-24. His team was national champion in 2022 and again in 2024 with a 26-1 record. He has prior experience as the head coach of Thornlea Prep from 2018-19, Athlete Institute Bears from 2017-18 and Bill Crothers Prep Basketball from 2011-17.

“Charles is one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in Canadian basketball and bringing him to Pacific is a big win for the program,” Smart said. “His experience developing talent at the highest levels—from national teams to championship prep programs—will be a huge asset to our student-athletes and our program. Charles brings a relentless work ethic, a deep understanding of the game and a passion for teaching that aligns perfectly with what we’re building here at Pacific.”

Between 2010-24, Hantoumakos was the head coach of five different youth teams in the Amateur Athletic Union. It included 17U EBA Elite AAU Basketball, 17U Upstate New York AAU Basketball, 17U Triple Balance, U-play 16U Elite Youth Basketball and U-play 17U Elite Youth Basketball.

“I'm incredibly honored to join Coach Smart's staff and become part of the Pacific Tigers men's basketball program. The vision is truly inspiring, and I'm thrilled to be part of it. I'm ready to bring relentless energy and commitment every single day to help us push this program forward and contribute to something special,” Hantoumakos said.

Cole helped recruit the four newcomers from California. He arrived at Pacific after spending last season coaching Jalen Green Elite on the adidas 3SSB Circuit in 2024 and helped the team reach the Elite Eight. He previously coached West Coast Elite on the Under Armour Circuit from 2018-23, which included a run to the 17U Championship game in 2022.

“Brandon is very well connected in California. His time with Jalen Green Elite and West Coast Elite allowed him to coach some of the top players in the state and in the country over the last few years," Smart said. "Brandon has a really good understanding of what it takes for a player to be successful at this level. He'll be an influential floor coach and teacher for us, as well as a great recruiter, especially in California."

Cole has collegiate coaching experience with stops at Central Wyoming, Fresno Pacific and Sierra College. In his one season at Central Wyoming, Cole helped the Rustlers to a 20-win season and a playoff berth while competing in the difficult Region 9 in 2017-18.
 
He was both an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Fresno Pacific in 2016-17 and spent five seasons at Sierra College from 2011-16 , where he was promoted to associate head coach in 2015. The Wolverines reached the playoffs each year during Cole's tenure.

"I'm very grateful, humbled and excited to be part of Coach Smart's staff. I'm ready to go to work with an amazing group of coaches who are like-minded in achieving tremendous goals on and off the court," Cole said.

Cole and Hantoumakos replaced Clay Wilson and Senque Carey who departed to pursue other opportunities upon conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Learn more about the current 2025-26 men’s basketball roster and staff.