Assistant Men's Basketball Coach · New Mexico State

PRESTON LAIRD

Building competitive programs through clear teaching, relentless player development, and a culture that lasts.

Leader Educator Competitor Winner
View Philosophy Career Timeline
Foundation

My Identity

The process, the standards, and the people we become.

Coaching with intensity
On the floor · Coaching with intensity

The Process Brings Results

  • Buy-in to the Process.
  • Chase the best version of yourself.
  • Be Process Driven.
  • Wins are a Result of the Process.
  • If you stay true to the Process the wins become a byproduct.
  • If you chase wins, disappointment will follow.

Uphold The Standard

  • Our best level of conduct is The Standard.
  • An Environment of Compliance and Humility is The Standard.
  • An Atmosphere of Diversity and Inclusion is The Standard.
  • A Culture of Attendance and Effort is The Standard.
  • If we uphold our standards in the community and the classroom, these habits will carry over to the court.

Be Who Our Players Need

Develop Professional People

  • Player development must focus on both the individual and the team.
  • True development begins with the person, not the player — Build consistent habits and a growth mindset.
  • Expand a player's game beyond their current role while respecting team chemistry.
  • Develop players into stars in their roles within our playing style and team concepts.
  • Create a Culture of Development — Skills vs. Concepts / Roles vs. Growth / Decision-Making.

Execute on Development

  • Have a plan for each player that reflects their role within Team Identity.
  • Measure Progress — Show numbers and chart everything.
  • Don't kill their sweat.
  • Layer your drills / Maximize their time.
  • Teach them to play the game instinctively.
  • Let them compete.
  • In season is as important as off season.
Journey

Career Timeline

Path through college basketball as a player and coach.

2024 – Present
Assistant Coach — New Mexico State University
Men's Basketball. Program building, player development, recruiting, and on-court teaching.
2019 – 2024
Assistant Coach — University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2024 OVC Regular Season Champions. Offensive & Defensive Coordinator roles. Player Development.
2016 – 2019
Director of Ops / Assistant Coach — UNLV
Recruiting, skill development, scouting. First 20-win season in 5 years.
2012 – 2016
Graduate Assistant / Director of Ops — New Mexico State
6th Man Club, multiple WAC titles, NCAA Tournament appearances.
2008 – 2012
Student-Athlete & Team Captain — University of Memphis
Walk-on to Team Captain under John Calipari. 5× NCAA Tournament. Summa Cum Laude.
Memphis C-USA Champions
2012 C-USA Tournament Champions — University of Memphis
Results

Winning

Experience with winning programs

OVC Champions
OVC Regular Season Champions
2015 WAC Champions
2015 WAC Tournament Champions — Orleans Arena
9
Postseason Appearances
6
Conference Tournament Titles
6
Regular Season Titles
System

Offensive Philosophy

Chase the Space · Create the Space

Transition — Chase the Space

  • Deep Corners
  • Wide Slots
  • Middle third is for the Trigger Man

½ Court — Create the Space

  • Shooters
  • Quick Random Action
  • Trigger 2 to the Ball
  • Dominoes

Triggers

  • On Ball: Drags, Double Drags, Zooms
  • Off Ball: Pin downs, Touch, Staggers
Team huddle
Teaching in the huddle
Identity

Defensive Philosophy

Defensive principles and rhythm changers

Man-to-Man

On Ball

  • Trace the Ball – Stick Hand
  • Rim Line Protection
  • Closeout Rules by Personnel
  • Switch Like-Sizes

Off Ball

  • Gap & Help
  • On Penetrations: Clog, Sink and Fill

PNR Coverage

  • Ice on the Side
  • Drop in the Middle
  • Peel-Off Switches

Rhythm Changers

Zone

  • Tandem Guards
  • High and Wide Wings
  • Mic Man

Full Court Pressure

  • Man-to-Man – Personnel
  • Diamond
  • 2-2-1 to Zone
Impact

Player Development

Player Development & Relationship Builder

KK Robinson
Arkansas-Little Rock
Ohio Valley First-Team
Markquis Nowell
Arkansas-Little Rock
Sun Belt First-Team
Ruot Monyyong
Arkansas-Little Rock
Sun Belt First-Team
Shakur Juiston
UNLV
Mountain West 2nd-Team
Brandon McCoy
UNLV
MW Freshman of the Year · 2nd-Team
Bandja Sy
New Mexico State
WAC 2nd-Team
Ian Baker
New Mexico State
WAC First-Team
Daniel Mullings
New Mexico State
WAC Player of the Year · First-Team
Pascal Siakam
New Mexico State
NBA All-Star & Champion · WAC POY
With Pascal Siakam
With Pascal Siakam — relationship & development that lasts
With KK Robinson
With KK Robinson — Ohio Valley First-Team · OVC Champions
Reach

Recruiting

Recruiting regions & relationship focus

Domestic Focus Areas

  • Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Los Angeles, California
  • West Palm Beach, Florida
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Hopkins, South Carolina
  • Memphis, Tennessee
  • Portal / Transfer Market

International

  • Dakar, Senegal
  • Paris, France
Resources

Fundraising

Community engagement & proven fundraising

Championship celebration with family
Building the program — on and off the court

Community Engagement & Fundraising

Executive Director, Sixth Man Club — New Mexico State (2014–15)

People

Mentors & Network

People who have shaped the journey

Key Mentors

  • John Calipari — Hall of Fame Head Coach
  • Damon Stoudamire — Head Coach, Georgia Tech
  • Darrell Walker — Head Coach, Arkansas-Little Rock
  • Cody Toppert — Head Coach, Capital City Go-Go
  • Marvin Menzies — Head Coach, UMKC
  • Josh Pastner — ESPN Analyst / Former Head Coach
  • Pat Summitt — Hall of Fame Head Coach

Education

  • B.S. Communications (2012) — University of Memphis
    Summa Cum Laude, Honors College
  • M.A. Curriculum & Instruction (2016) — New Mexico State University

Proud husband to Anna and father to Presley Kate and Beckham.

Preston Laird with family
With Anna, Presley Kate, and Beckham
Coaching
PROCESS OVER RESULTS