Less than three weeks after being named the head coach of the men’s basketball team at Northern Michigan University, Ganz already has two assistant coaches named to his new staff.

Drew Blair was named an assistant coach on Tuesday after Luke Taylor has already been placed on the new staff.

Ganz took over from Matt Majkrzak, who left on March 17 for NCAA Division I Northern Illinois. Ganz was named new head coach on April 3.

Blair was an assistant coach at Minnesota-Duluth last season, playing a key role in player development, scouting and in-game adjustments. He helped the Bulldogs win the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship and reach the NCAA Division II tournament, reaching the Sweet 16.

Luke Taylor

“I could not be more excited to add Drew to the Wildcat family,” Ganz said in an NMU Sports Information news release announcing Blair’s hire. “Another Wisconsin guy is coming to NMU. I’ve known Drew for a few years and even coached against him a few years ago.

“Drew brings a wealth of knowledge through his own success as a player that our players will really benefit from. As a coach, he was a big part of the NCAA tournament run that Minnesota-Duluth had this year, and I am really excited to work with him.”

Blair is also excited for this move.

“I am extremely excited to join the Northern Michigan basketball program and athletic department,” Blair said. “I have been able to see the rise and success of the program over recent years and can’t wait to be a part of sustaining the excellence and culture displayed in this program, while striving to take it to new heights alongside Coach Ganz.”

Prior to Duluth, Blair gained professional experience with the Milwaukee Bucks organization as a video coordinator and player development assistant in the 2024-25 season. In that role, he contributed to advanced scouting preparation, film breakdown and on-court skill development, working with NBA-level systems and technology.

He was a standout player at UMD from 2019-24, serving four years as team captain and becoming the Bulldogs’ all-time leader with 2,772 points, 926 field goals, 344 3-pointers and 576 free throws.

He was a five-time All-NSIC selection, named a 2024 National Association of Basketball Coaches All-American, and led the Bulldogs to the 2023 NCAA tournament Central Region title and Elite Eight appearance.

Blair’s experience includes recruiting, where he assisted in securing multiple top-20 prospects in the Midwest, along with extensive work in film analysis using platforms such as Sportscode and Synergy.

A native of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Blair graduated from Minnesota-Duluth in 2024 with a degree in business marketing.

Taylor comes to NMU from state of Minnesota, where he was on the coaching staff at St. Cloud State with its women’s basketball team. He also assisted with the Buffalo High School boys varsity team and the Minnesota Comets AAU program.

Playing at St. Cloud from 2020-24, he started 65 times while playing in 91 games and averaged 9.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game his senior year, which included a career-high 24 points vs. Northern State.

He was also a three-time NSIC Academic Team of Excellence and Academic All-NSIC honoree, and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology.

Story contents based on a Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the news. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.