Coaches

Varsity Head Coach
10th Year (156-65)
25th Year in Program

• Native of Brooklyn, NY & 1995 grad of the original Pocono Mountain HS where he was a 3-yr letter winner & 2-year captain under Hall of Fame Coach Brad Pensyl. As a senior, led his team to the 1st district championship game in school history and 1st ever birth in the PIAA state tournament.

• Still owns the school record at PMHS/PM East HS  for career assists (303), assists in a season (148) and assists in a game (12 - three diferent times)

• Played collegiately at Wilkes University where he was part of a 1995-96 MAC Championship and NCAA Elite 8 team

• Journalism degree - Penn State University

• Teaching degree - East Stroudsburg University

• Coached 7th grade, 8th grade and JV under Brad Pensyl during his first 15 years at West

• Took over for Brad Pensyl to start the 2017-18 season. Since then, his teams have won a 5A District XI Championship in 2024, made 3 straight District XI Final appearances from 2022-2024, qualified for the District XI playoffs 9 years straight, reached the PIAA State Tourney Sweet 16 twice, and won the EPC North Division Championship 6 years in a row.

• Coach Williams celebrated his first coaching milestone when he hit 100 career wins during the 2023-24 season in an away game at Liberty HS.

• Over the past 24 years, Coach Williams has helped send 60 players on to play college basketball.

• He serves PMSD as an English teacher in the district's cyber program.

• Director of PMWYBA Select.

• Director of West Camp Youth Basketball League 

• Director of West Basketball Camp

• Director of Team Fermin AAU 

Assistant Varsity Coach

Defensive Coordinator

12th year in Program
10th year as Varsity Assistant 

• Graduate of Nanticoke High School where he led his team to the 1985 state championship game, was a 2x MVP of the Wyoming Valley Conference & later inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

• Finished his HS career netting over 1,300 pts, 900 rebounds and was voted an All-State player as a senior. 

• During that time, he also played for arguably the best AAU program in the state - The Pace Setters.

• Earned the Presidential Scholarship (given to the most academically distinguished seniors in the country) to Kings College where he continued to star on the hardwood for the next 4 years and graduated with his degree in secondary education math.

• Coach P served as head coach of Pleasant Valley HS from 1995-2014 where he won a MVC championship in 2003 & the District XI championship in 1998 while being named The Morning Call, Pocono Record and Times News Coach of the Year.

• Coach P has been by Coach Williams side since the 2017-18 season and is an integral part of the program's success.  Not only is he responsible for the defense but he is also in charge of developing our big men.

• Since day 1, he's had a hand in the development of Travis Elmore (All-EPC/Bloomsburg), Christian Fermin (1st Team & 2nd Team All-State - VCU/Tennessee), Adrian Brito (2x - 2nd Team All-State/East Stroudsburg Univ) & current big man Teddy Stiehler (All-EPC as a Soph).

• In the past 6 seasons, his hard nosed defensive principles & schemes have stifled opponents to the tune of only 48 ppg.

• Last season, his defense set a school record for average points allowed per game (43.7)

• Retired in 2023 from teaching Math for 33 years at Pleasant Valley HS.

Junior Varsity Coach
11th year in Program 

• A 2012 West graduate & two-year captain, Coach Dixon lead the 2012 squad to District XI 'AAAA' gold against Parkland High School. That team  finished 22-5, went undefeated at home, and was the first and only in the long history of Pocono Mountain School District to win the coveted District XI title. On top of the district gold, Dixon's teams won back-to-back Mountain Valley Championships in 2011 and 2012 and the tenacious rebounder also was named first team All-MVC his senior season and second team during his junior year. The most balanced player in school history finished his career w/625 points, 555 rebounds (ranked 6th all-time), 133 steals (4th all-time), and 132 assists during his three years in a West uniform. 

• His work on the court and in the classroom earned Coach Dixon a full scholarship to play for Division II Roberts Wesleyan College of the East Coast Conference where he was a four-year starter, three-year captain, was voted on to the all-ECC freshman team and was an all-ECC pick his senior season. His career totals include 1,435 points (10th all-time in school history and first all-time in the school's DII era), 783 rebounds, 295 assists, and 175 steals in four years. As a senior, Coach Dixon led his team in every major statistical category including drawn charges. 

• In 2016, he graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and was inducted into the Wendy’s College Classic Hall of Fame.

• Coach Dixon runs the PMWYBA Select 5/6th grade team as well as the PMWYBA Lil' Dribblers program. 

• He also serves as the middle school director and head coach of the 6th grade for Team Fermin AAU.

• He currently works as a probation officer for Monroe County.

Freshman Co-Coach

Varsity Offensive Coordinator
10th Year in Program 

• A 2012 graduate of Pocono Mountain West HS where  he led us to our 1st District XI championship in school history and won 2 MVC Championships in 2011 and 2012. As a senior he was named to the AP All-State team for 6A,  Mountain Valley Conference MVP, Via of the Lehigh Valley Player of the Year, Channel 13 Player of the year, Pocono Record Player of the Year & voted to The Morning Call’s All-District XI Team. 

• Coach Brice earned a full scholarship to Harcum Junior College where he earned his associates degree, averaged 12 ppg over his career and made a trip to the NJCAA Final Four.

• After his 2 years at Junior College, Coach Brice moved on to play at East Stroudsburg University where he also received a full scholarship, was named team captain as a senior and helped the Warriors to the PSAC Quarterfinals.

• As a senior, he was the ESU Coaches Award recipient, started all 29 games at guard, averaged 11.1 points per game (2nd on team), 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, shot 47.1 percent from the field, 36.5 percent (19-for-52) from 3-point line and 79.6 percent (78-for-98) at foul line, 2nd on team in FT made and attempted, 3rd on team with 22.6 minutes per game and scored in double figures in 19 of 29 games 

• Coach Brice graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a degree in Sports Management.

• He has parlayed that degree into a successful business venture - QBrice Training. His service focuses on specific basketball IQ/skills training for players of all levels. He currently has over 30 clients that include overseas pros, current college players, HS Varsity/JV players, Junior high, & elementary age children.

• This past winter, as Co-Coach of the West Freshman squad, he helped instill accountability, work ethic, discipline & IQ into a very young & inexperienced group.

• Coach Brice also serves as the head trainer for Team Fermin AAU while working with the program's 4th, 5th & 6th graders as an assistant coach.

Freshman Co-Coach

3rd Year in Program

• Rejoined our staff last season after serving as 7/8th grade volunteer assistant 6 years ago

• Co-Founder of Elite Academy AAU where he was responsible for molding some of the top talent in Monroe County and surrounding areas. 

• After a brief hiatus from coaching to watch his son, KJ, play high school basketball - Coach Coles is back to being one of the top skill developers in the area & has immersed himself into the youth basketball landscape on the mountain.

• This past winter, as Co-Coach of the West Freshman squad, he helped instill accountability, work ethic, discipline & IQ into a very young & inexperienced group.

• During the Spring and Summer he served as the Head Coach of the Team Fermin 14U AAU team that brought home 6 tournament championships. 

• While coaching his 14u squad, Coach Coles simultaneously spearheaded a 4/5th grade Team Fermin developmental program which he now directs and coaches.

• Coach Coles works as a supervisor at PP&L.

8th Grade Coach
13th year in Program 

• A 2006 graduate of Pocono Mountain East High School where he was one of only two players in school history to be a four-year varsity starter. Coach Strickland led his team to MVC titles and district runner-up spots in both 2004 and 2006. During his high school career Coach Strickland was well known as the premier defender in the area. Offensively he caused headaches with his slashing ability and highlight reel dunks. He finished his illustrious career at East with 988 points and wound up as the school's all-time steals leader - cementing his legacy as the best defender in East history.

• After high school, Coach Strickland continued his academic and playing career collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford where he received his bachelor of arts degrees in 2010 in kinesiology and sports management.

• After graduation he moved on to play professionally for the ABA franchise Jersey Express.

• He has led our 7th/8th grade, freshman and JV teams & continues to be one of the best player development coaches in the area.

• He works as a paraprofessional at West High School with emotional support students.

7th Grade Coach
3rd year in program

• A 2018 graduate of The Academy of Medical Technology (Queens, NY)

• During his senior season on the hardwood he averaged 8.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game as his team went undefeated in division play and finished as Queens A Division Champs. 

• After graduation, Coach Zamor coached middle school hoops in Queens prior to joining West's staff for the 2024-25 season. 

• Upon being hired, Coach Zamor immediately made a major impact by instilling a culture of discipline and accountability amongst our 7/8th grade players.

• On the court, he is skilled at teaching his teams to play hard, share the ball and compete.

• Coach Zamor works for Sanofi in Swiftwater. 

Strength & Conditioning Coach
10th year in program

• 1993 grad of Stroudsburg High School where she ran cross country.   

• She was a successful marathon runner, running in the Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pocono marathon countless times.  Through marathon running she acquired a strong emphasis on endurance training and functional strength moves while being laser focused on nutrition, rest and recovery.  This experience ignited a passion for developing well rounded athletes.

• Masters degree from East Stroudsburg University in Educational Leadership.

• Psychology and Elementary Teaching degree from Cedar Crest College.

• Certified American Council of Exercise Sports Performance Specialist and Group Fitness Instructor where she assists athletes to increase their skill levels, avoid injury and reach peak performance.

• Became the strength and conditioning coach for the Pocono Mountain West Boys Basketball in 2018.  As strength and conditioning coach she motivates, educates and inspires athletes to become better.  Weight training is a major component to a basketball program.  Since 2018, the team has qualified for the district playoffs every year, reached the DXI 6A Championship in 2022, reached the DXI semis 3 times, gotten to the PIAA State Tourney twice (Sweet 16 in 17-18), and won the EPC Monroe Division Championship 6 times in a row.

• Became the lead Athletic Academic Coach at Pocono Mountain West High School in November 2021. As an AAC she is Responsible for working with student athletes, parents, school staff, head coaches, athletic directors and school administrators to develop and coordinate a high impact student athlete development and support program that fosters positive youth development (PYD).  She provides academic support, advocacy and advising.

• Pocono Mountain intermediate school teacher & local group fitness and sports performance coach

Volunteer Varsity Assistant
5th Year in program

• 2006 graduate of Pocono Mountain West High School who led his 2004-05 team to the first MVC championship of any kind in school history

• Ranked 3rd all-time for 3-pointers made (115)

• 6th all-time in 3FG% (37.1%)

• 4th all-time in FT% (75.6%)

• 6th all-time in Assists (219)

• 3rd all-time steals (143)

• 11th all-time drawn charges (12)

• 11th all-time on the career points scored list (817)

• Coach Walters has been instrumental in getting Team Fermin AAU off the ground serving as both a head & assistant coach during the past 4 years.

Volunteer Varsity Assistant

12th Year in program

• 1995 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School where he starred on the baseball diamond as a standout 2nd baseman for the 1994 Centennial League Champions.

• Played college basketball at Penn State - Hazleton

• Broadcast Journalism Degree - Penn State University

• Teaching Degree - East Stroudsburg University

• Head Coach for Birches Legion Baseball where his team won the 2003 NORCO League Championship and made a deep run (finished 3rd) into the Legion State Playoffs. 

• Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Pleasant Valley HS from 2020-2023.

• Served as West's 7/8th grade coach under Brad Pensyl for 2 seasons before joining Rich Williams' bench as an assistant coach for the past 9 years.

• During that time, Coach Murphy also served as the head coach for Pleasant Valley Youth Basketball Association's 5/6th grade Select team.

• This past Spring, Coach Murphy joined the Team Fermin AAU staff as the head coach of the 7th Grade Black squad.

• Teaches high school english at Pleasant Valley.

Volunteer Varsity Assistant
1st Year in program

• 2017 graduate of Pocono Mountain West High School where he was a 4-year starter, a District XI 6A Champion his senior year and sits 3rd on the all-time scoring list with 1,561 career points. His other notable career statistical rankings at West include...

• Ranked 3rd all-time for 3-pointers made (158)

• 4th all-time in FG's made (551)

• 3rd all-time in FT's made (301)

• 3rd all-time in FT% (76.8% - 301-392)

• 9th all-time in Assists (207)

• 9th all-time in Blocks (72)

• 3rd all-time in Games Played (99)

• 4th all-time in Career Scoring Average (15.8 ppg)

• Scored a record 36 points in the 2017 District XI 6A Championship Game victory over Parkland HS.

• Accepted full ride scholarship to Junior College powers Indian Hills and then Mineral Area (Associates Degree) and then accepted a full ride to Delaware State before finishing his career and earning his bachelors degree in criminal justice from Point Park University.

Volunteer Varsity Assistant

1st Year in program

• 1995 graduate of East Stroudsburg High School where he was a 3-year letter winner & took home the 1994 District XI 4A Championship & a Centennial League Championship. the legendary '94 team (27-3) was the first in Monroe County history to win a District XI boys basketball championship & advanced to the PIAA Elite 8 by beating Reading HS & then taking down Rip Hamilton's Coatesville HS squad. The Cavaliers magical run finally ended in a shootout to state power & eventual 4A state champ, Chester HS, 96-85.

• The team is forever etched in Monroe County history for changing basketball culture in the area.

• 1995 All-Pocono Record 1st Team Selection

• Played at Northampton Community College from 1995-97 where he averaged 16.8 ppg during his 56 game Spartan career.

• After recieving his associates degree, Coach Beyah moved on to play for Hall of Fame coaching legend Scott Coval at Allentown College (Now Desales University) to finish out his playing career.

• Sport Management & Business Degree - Allentown College

• Coach Beyah works as an Account Manager for Fed Ex in Pocono Summit.