JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University men's basketball associate head coach Troy Pierce and Senior Vice President and Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert were both named to the Roots 66 coaching list, the organization announced this week.

Roots 66 recognizes the best and most impactful coaches and administrators in the basketball industry, helping the overall advancement of the game of basketball. Roots gives its members access to coaching and connections with leaders of the game from all over the country.

Pierce is entering his fifth season on staff with the Dolphins. He was named the associate head coach before the start of the 2025-26 season, helping freshman Hayden Wood to ASUN All-Freshman honors along the way. Pierce and his defensive coaching held opponents to 73.4 points per game while averaging 6.6 steals last season. 

He is the second JU basketball coach to be named to a Roots 66 coaching list in as many years. Head coach Jordan Mincy earned the honor in 2025.

Ricker-Gilbert has served as the AD of the Dolphins since 2016. He helped navigate the school through the COVID-19 pandemic, earning Division I-AAA Athletic Director of the Year honors from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 2021. This past season, he saw Jacksonville to four conference championships and the university's highest finish in the Learfield Directors' Cup since 2006-07.

Pierce and Ricker-Gilbert were joined on the Roots 66 recognition list by two former Dolphin men's basketball coaches in Michael Fly and Darion Brown.

Jacksonville men's basketball kicks off its season on November 2 at home against Paine College. This year's schedule features 15 home games inside Swisher Gymnasium and season tickets are still available. For more information on season tickets, click HERE.