Northern Arizona hires Palo Verde’s Riley as assistant

Northern Arizona hired Palo Verde boys basketball coach Jermone Riley as an assistant coach under new head coach Jack Murphy, the school announced Thursday in an expected move.

Riley, a former assistant coach and player at Northern Arizona, has been head coach at Palo Verde the last four seasons, guiding the Panthers to the Sunset Region final last season.

“Jermone was one of my first priorities when I got the job,” Murphy said in a statement. “He is a former Big Sky Freshman of the Year here at NAU and has been a former assistant coach for the Lumberjacks. He is an outstanding coach and I have known him for a very long time. He is passionate about teaching young men about basketball and life. He and his wife are looking forward to returning to Flagstaff.”

Riley took the Panthers to the 2008-09 Class 4A state title game, losing 56-55 to Bishop Gorman.

Riley will be joined at Northern Arizona by Palo Verde senior forward Jordyn Martin, who signed with the Lumberjacks in April.