The University of Idaho men’s basketball program is building on its historic 2026 season with a round of staff additions, elevating Luke Chavez to assistant coach for player development while bringing aboard Will Chipman and Anton Webb as graduate assistants.
Chavez’s promotion caps a two-year run as a graduate assistant under head coach Alex Pribble. Before joining the Vandal staff ahead of the 2024-25 season, Chavez was a standout player for Pribble at Saint Martin’s University — a connection that has now spanned both sides of the sideline. During his senior season in 2019, Chavez earned NABC First Team West Region recognition, GNAC Unanimous First Team All-Conference honors, and a spot on the NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team. His Saint Martin’s squad posted a then-school-record 26 victories, claimed the GNAC regular-season championship, and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Pribble said Chavez has more than justified his new role. “Luke has been a major part of this program over the past two seasons, and he has absolutely earned this promotion,” Pribble told GoVandals.com.
Staff Built Around a Championship Foundation
The moves come on the heels of one of the most significant seasons in Idaho basketball history. The Vandals claimed the 2026 Big Sky Championship and punched a ticket to the NCAA Tournament — the program’s first appearance in the bracket since 1990. That kind of momentum has made recruiting and staff development a high priority heading into 2026-27.
Chavez joins a coaching staff that includes Associate Head Coach Brandon Laird and assistants Adam Ellis and Matt Jones. His focus will center on player development, an area where his on-court background and two years learning Pribble’s system give him a clear advantage.
Pribble emphasized that the graduate assistant roles are not merely support positions. “Our graduate assistants are extremely important parts of our staff. We look for guys that not only have a passion for coaching, but have a skill set that will add value to what we are already doing,” he told GoVandals.com.
Two Newcomers Bring Diverse Resumes
Anton Webb arrives from Taylor University in Indiana, where he put together a decorated playing career. Webb appeared in 88 games with 61 starts across his time with the Trojans, surpassing 1,000 career points and finishing with 855 rebounds — fifth all-time in Taylor program history. He shot better than 54 percent from the field in two separate seasons and averaged a double-double in both points and rebounds during his junior and senior campaigns. His final season earned him First-Team All-Crossroads League recognition.
Will Chipman brings a deep administrative and operational background to the program. He spent four years as a student manager with the Washington State men’s basketball program before moving into coaching and training roles with Adams Sports Academy in Pullman — directly across the state line from Moscow. Chipman has also completed internships with the VSL Talent game operations staff and with Verbal Commits, a widely used college athletics recruiting database. His familiarity with both the Palouse region and the inner workings of a major-conference basketball program should translate quickly to Idaho’s setup.
Both Chipman and Webb are signed to two-year graduate assistant agreements.
For a program that made its first NCAA Tournament in 36 years just months ago, the staff investment signals that Idaho basketball is treating its breakthrough as a starting point rather than a one-time achievement. The Vandals now have a coaching group with a mix of proven player-development expertise and fresh operational energy heading into what figures to be an elevated level of competition and recruiting scrutiny in 2026-27.
For more University of Idaho news, including the College of Law’s recent dean appointment and other campus developments, visit Latah County News.
What Comes Next
The 2026-27 Idaho Vandals men’s basketball season is expected to tip off in November. With the Big Sky title defense on the line and the program’s national profile significantly raised, all three new staff members figure to play immediate roles in preparing the roster. Fans and recruits alike will be watching to see whether the Vandals can sustain the momentum from their landmark 2026 run. Follow Idaho News for continued statewide coverage of University of Idaho athletics and academics.