WASHINGTON (September 26, 2025) - Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Bison Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney has made a staff addition and promotion to the Men's Basketball Coaching Staff. After serving as a Graduate Assistant for Coach Kevin Willard at the University of Maryland, Thomas Weaver returns home as an Assistant Coach while Daniel G. Marks has been promoted after three seasons to General Manager & NIL Strategist. The announcement came Friday.
 
WEAVER
 
Weaver was a four-year letter winner for Coach Blakeney (2020-24), playing an integral role in the most sustained success that the program has seen since the 1980s. He was part of two MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Tournament Championships, two NCAA Tournament appearances, one MEAC Regular Season Championship and three straight winning seasons (2021-24). Weaver appeared in 65 career games for the Bison, including 26 appearances during the 22-win campaign (2022-23).
 
Last season, Weaver served on staff at Maryland. The Terrapins made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016 and their 27 wins was the most in 10 seasons. Weaver assisted with opponent scouting reports and administrative work while also playing a key role in the player development efforts of star freshman Derik Queen, who was a first-team All-Big 10 selection, Big 10 Freshman of the Year and the 13^th overall pick in the NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.
 
"I believe that the greatest method for perpetuating team culture is through our alumni", said Coach Blakeney. "After a year away from the program where he helped return Maryland to the Sweet 16, I am thrilled to welcome Thomas back to Howard in an elevated role. Being able to add a former player with Thomas' championship pedigree and basketball IQ to our staff will help equip the next generation of Bison with the values and ethos of #TheDreamFactory."
 
MARKS
 
After three seasons as Chief Program Strategist, Marks will move into the General Manager & NIL Strategist role. In his new role, he will continue his efforts in roster building, community & alumni engagement and serving as a liaison to NBA teams while adding responsibilities in contract negotiation, agent relations and revenue sharing management.
 
Since joining the program, Marks has played an important role in various areas of the program, highlighted by the team's nationally recognized 2022-23 social justice project on Black Maternal Health advocacy, oversight of the largest student-manager program in the country, and through various strategic partnerships, including with the Howard University Alumni Association, FanStake and OpenDorse. In 2024, his efforts were recognized when OpenDorse named the program "Most Innovative in NIL".
 
"Bringing Dan in from the NBA has helped take our program to new heights", said Coach Blakeney. "When I got the job at Howard, I envisioned our program becoming one of the most forward-thinking in the country, a program that others sought to emulate. Through his efforts in NIL, program building and roster management, Dan has played an essential role in making that a reality. I am excited for him to step into this expanded role in this changing era of college athletics."
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.