Oklahoma State University Men's Basketball Adds Dana Valentine To The Cowboy Coaching Staff

Oklahoma State head men's basketball coach Steve Lutz has added former St. Bonaventure assistant Dana Valentine to the Cowboy coaching staff.

Valentine spent the past two seasons at St. Bonaventure, where the Bonnies had back-to-back 20-win seasons. Last season, the Bonnies were 23rd in the nation in scoring defense, and hosted an NIT game for the third time in program history.

Before his time at St. Bonaventure, Valentine spent five years in Connecticut at one of the nation’s premier high school programs, Putnam Science Academy. He served as head varsity coach from 2018-21 before transitioning to an assistant role with the prep team. In two seasons he helped lead that group to a 77-3 record and a pair of national championships.

During Valentine’s time at Putnam, numerous Mustangs went on to the NCAA Division I level, including future Cowboys Benjamin Ahmed (a sophomore on Putnam’s 2022-23 national title winner), Arturo Dean (a member of its undefeated 2021-22 squad) and Abou Ousmane (2018-19).

He was also a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame Prep from 2016 to 2017 and spent five years working with AAU New England (2016-21), serving as head coach of the 15-U team, assistant coach for the 16-U and 17-U teams, and recruiting coordinator.

Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz on the hiring of Dana Valentine:

“I believe in surrounding our student-athletes with great teachers and even better people, and Dana fits that mold perfectly. He brings infectious energy, a passion for teaching, and a proven ability to help players maximize their potential. We’re excited for the impact he’s going to make here in Stillwater.”