Meet the Staff & Coaches
Terry Awls
Director of Basketball & Recruiting
Terry J. Awls is a strategic basketball leader, recruiter, and mentor with deep connections across the collegiate and professional basketball landscape. As Director of Basketball & Recruiting, he oversees recruiting strategy, player evaluation, program development, and operational planning while helping guide student-athletes through the pathway to collegiate opportunities.
Awls currently serves as the General Manager of the men’s professional basketball team, the Glass City Wranglers, where he is responsible for organizational operations, player development strategy, and professional basketball personnel decisions.
His coaching experience spans multiple levels of the game. Awls has coached at the collegiate level at Lourdes University and has also coached at the professional level, bringing valuable insight into the recruiting and player development process from youth basketball through the professional ranks.
As the leader of recruiting efforts for Hopson Elite, Awls has played a critical role in building the program into one of the top AAU basketball programs in Ohio. Under his recruiting leadership, the organization has helped more than 40 student-athletes earn collegiate commitments in the past six years, reinforcing the program’s mission of developing players both on and off the court.
Beyond recruiting, Awls manages tournament scheduling, family communication, social media coordination, college placement relationships, and program operations including seasonal planning, tryouts, team placement, travel logistics, compliance, and player and parent onboarding.
He holds several nationally recognized coaching and sports leadership credentials including NFHS Accredited Interscholastic Coach (AIC), NFHS Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC), USA Basketball Gold Coach Certification, USA iHoops U19 Coaching Certification, and a Front Office Sports NIL Certification.
Known for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to athlete development, Awls commitment to helping young players achieve their dream.
Bryce Whitlow
Boys 17U Head Coach
Background: Played college basketball at Adrian College; current Varsity Assistant at Emmanuel Christian.
Practice engine: Runs station timing and pace; smooth transitions from transition drills to half-court work.
Film breakdown: Hustle/deflection clips with a simple effort rubric athletes understand.
Movement & strength basics: Warm-up progressions, footwork cues, sprint habits.
Scouting support: Personnel matchups, bench cards, in-game reminders to simplify reads.
Specialties: Guard/wing defensive footwork, transition spacing, bench energy and culture.
Marvin Conway
Boys 16U Head Coach
Coach Marvin Conway brings a strong foundation in player development, discipline, and basketball fundamentals to Hopson Elite as the Head Coach of the 16U team. With experience coaching at both the high school and grassroots levels, Coach Conway has built a reputation for developing young athletes who compete with toughness, basketball IQ, and respect for the game.
His coaching journey includes valuable experience with The Family Basketball AAU Program, one of the Midwest’s most respected grassroots basketball organizations, where he helped develop emerging talent in a highly competitive environment. He also served as the JV Head Coach at Detroit Redford High School, focusing on building disciplined and fundamentally sound players prepared to compete at the varsity level.
Coach Conway later continued his coaching career as an Assistant Coach at Detroit Community High School, contributing to varsity player development and game strategy. He currently serves as the Freshman Head Coach at St. John’s Jesuit in Toledo, where he is helping shape the next generation of players through strong fundamentals, structure, and high expectations.
Known for blending Detroit-style toughness with a thoughtful, player-first approach, Coach Conway emphasizes hard work, accountability, and respect for the game. His coaching philosophy focuses on developing skilled, confident athletes who understand the importance of teamwork, preparation, and continuous improvement.
Art Miller
Boys 15U Head Coach
Coach Miller is a basketball coach, trainer, and mentor with over 15 years of coaching experience, including time at both the high school and collegiate levels. He currently serves as the Freshman Basketball Coach at Scott High School and has helped guide student-athletes into college programs ranging from NCAA Division I to NJCAA Division III. Coach Miller has also gained professional experience working with the Osceola Magic, the NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic. In addition, he is a certified basketball official through IAABO Board #127, bringing a deep understanding of the game’s rules and structure. Known for his emphasis on fundamentals, teamwork, and perseverance, Coach Miller is passionate about helping young athletes reach their fullest potential both on and off the court.
"I’m excited to be part of Hopson Elite because it’s clear the program is committed to building more than just talented players—it’s focused on developing disciplined, high-character student-athletes who can compete at a high level. That kind of culture aligns perfectly with my coaching philosophy of teaching strong fundamentals, accountability, and preparation for the next level. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience in player development and mentorship to help athletes grow, compete, and represent the program with pride. 🏀🔥"
Larry Varnell
Boys 13 & 14 AAU Head Coach
The Varsity Head Coach from Toledo Scott enters his 4th year at Hopson Elite. Coach Varnell is dedicated to developing high-IQ, disciplined players who understand both the strategy and heart of the game.
Core Coaching Focus
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Game Model Design: Builds offensive systems rooted in roles, play calls, and read-based decision making.
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Defense Standards: Implements help rules, shell progressions, and rebounding accountability.
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Practice Structure: Designs decision-rich drills with competitive scoring to sharpen instincts and execution.
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Season Planning: Manages tournament schedules and player minutes with balance and precision.
Specialties:
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IQ Development: Prepares athletes for situational awareness, late-clock execution, and special-situation mastery.
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Skill Progressions: Trains post and wing players with advanced footwork, counter moves, and versatility.
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Leadership: Models calm, confident leadership with a positive discipline framework that builds resilient teams.
Tiffani Blackman
Girls 14U Head Coach
Coach Tiffani Blackman brings more than 12 years of coaching experience and a deep passion for developing young athletes to the Hopson Elite program. She currently serves as the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Bowsher High School and will be leading the Hopson Elite 14U Girls Team for the 2025–2026 season. Her leadership and impact on the game have been widely recognized, earning her City League Coach of the Year honors in both 2024 and 2025, as well as Division III Coach of the Year in 2025.
Throughout her coaching career, Coach Blackman has made an impact at multiple levels of the game. She began her coaching journey as an Assistant Coach at Rogers High School (2014–2015), helping lead the program to three City League titles and a State Final Four appearance. She later served as an Assistant Coach at Owens Community College (2015–2018), where the Express earned two National Tournament appearances and conference championships. From 2020–2022, she was the Head Coach at Maumee Valley Country Day School, finishing second in the TAAC and raising the competitive standard of the program. In addition, she has spent many years mentoring and developing young athletes through the VIPERS AAU program.
A former collegiate athlete at both Seton Hall University and Lourdes University, Coach Blackman understands what it takes to compete at the next level. Known for her focus on fundamentals, discipline, and player development, she is passionate about helping student-athletes grow in confidence, character, and basketball IQ.
Sincere Nicholson
Boys 13U & 14U Assistant Coach
Entering her 4th year with Hopson Elite, Coach Nicholson has become a steady presence in developing athletes through discipline, teaching detail, and building player confidence. With a background rooted in fundamentals and leadership, she creates environments where athletes not only sharpen their skills but also grow in maturity and accountability.
Core Responsibilities:
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Guard & Wing Development – Ball-handling efficiency, attacking angles, and finishing through traffic.
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Defensive Standards – Instilling team-first principles of help defense, rotations, and rebounding toughness.
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Game Preparation – Crafting scouting insights, practice designs, and situational teaching to prepare players for high-level competition.
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Mentorship & Support – Guiding athletes on and off the court with accountability, encouragement, and life-skills development.
Specialties:
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Player Confidence Building – Developing athletes who compete with poise, focus, and resilience.
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Skill Precision – Teaching footwork, shooting consistency, and decision-making under pressure.
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Leadership Development – Preparing athletes to lead vocally and by example in practice and games.
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Culture Shaping – Reinforcing Hopson Elite’s standards of discipline, teamwork, and growth beyond basketball.
Coach Nichlson embodies the Hopson Elite mission: to produce complete student-athletes who compete hard, carry themselves with character, and prepare for the next level in both life and basketball.
Tequoia Dixon
Parent Liaison
Background: Community advocate with a steady, solutions-first approach.
Primary bridge: Onboarding, norms, and a clean communication channel.
Travel & logistics: Hotel blocks, room lists, check-in packets, gate info, game-day timelines.
Feedback routing: Captures concerns, directs them to the right lead, and closes the loop.
Community building: Volunteer rosters, hospitality tables, photo sharing, and “Parent 101” touchpoints.
Jason Dixon
Mental Health & Wellness Coach
Jason A. Dixon (Nationally Recognized Youth Motivational Speaker & Mentor)
Player Development, Leadership & Parent 101 Coach
Coach Jason brings a unique voice and presence to Hopson Elite, combining his nationally recognized work as a motivational speaker with his passion for student-athlete growth. A first-generation college graduate who overcame adversity, Jason uses his story to inspire and equip athletes to push past challenges, stay disciplined, and embrace the grind required for success.
Core Responsibilities:
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Mindset & Leadership Training – Teaching athletes how to turn setbacks into fuel, set goals, and lead with resilience.
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Motivational Development – Delivering impactful talks, workshops, and team sessions that connect deeply with players.
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Character Building – Instilling values of grit, perseverance, and accountability that translate on and off the court.
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Mentorship – Walking with athletes through real-life struggles, helping them balance sports, academics, and personal growth.
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Parent 101 Courses – Equipping parents with resources, strategies, and support to guide their athletes through the recruiting process, academic demands, and mental health challenges.
Specialties:
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High-Energy Speaking & Workshops – Engaging athletes with powerful stories and strategies they can apply immediately.
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Student Empowerment – Creating an environment where players feel seen, supported, and motivated to grow.
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Resilience & Adversity Training – Equipping athletes with tools to push through pressure, doubt, and obstacles.
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Community & School Partnerships – Extending Hopson Elite’s impact by connecting with educators, leaders, and parents.
Coach Jason doesn’t just talk about grit, he lives it. At Hopson Elite, he brings that same energy and mission to help athletes discover their potential, build unshakable confidence, and prepare for greatness.
Dr. Byron Scott Swartz
Academic Tutor & Student Athlete Support
Background: Current Varsity Head Coach at Ottawa Hills High School
Eligibility & planning: Grade checks, credit tracking, counselor/teacher coordination.
Tutoring stack: Core-subject tutoring, study skills, note systems, SAT/ACT prep.
Travel-season study halls: Structured blocks, assignment triage, deliverable checklists pre/post events.
Family alignment: Clear progress updates; keeps academics priority #1 even during heavy competition windows.
Coach crossover: Brings HC discipline to study plans, roles, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
Oyama Johnson
Specialty Shooting Coach
Background: Former Assistant College Coach at Lourdes University.
Mechanics lab: Base, stance, sequencing, release; video checkpoints to lock changes in.
Shot diet: Catch-and-shoot, relocations, off-dribble rhythm, footwork into 3’s.
Game transfer: Constraints that mirror our actions; pressure free-throws built into practice.
Benchmarks: Weekly shot goals by role; simple tracker athletes actually use.
Edge: College-level teaching progressions; expects game-speed reps and pro habits.
Brandon Dawson
Brandon Dawson (USA Basketball Gold Certified)
Head Coach & Player Development
A former standout at Owens College and current Varsity Head Coach at Northwood High School, Coach Dawson enters his 5th year and brings elite experience and a proven winner’s mindset to Hopson Elite. His approach combines high-intensity skill development with accountability frameworks that shape complete athletes ready for the next level.
Core Responsibilities:
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Practice Planning & Periodization – Structuring purposeful, high-intensity sessions with position-specific skill stations.
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Defensive Identity – Building teams through on-ball pressure, rotations, and rebounding standards.
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Scouting & Adjustments – Crafting opponent reports, implementing baseline/sideline specials, and making live game reads.
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Player Evaluations – Delivering continuous assessments and individualized development updates.
Specialties:
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Player Development – Footwork sequencing, finishing packages, and scoring touch around the rim.
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Defensive Scheme Design – Constructing competitive, disruptive defensive systems and practice environments.
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Accountability & Standards – Embedding discipline, structure, and consistency into every athlete’s growth.
Coach Dawson is committed to developing athletes who compete with intensity, lead with character, and elevate their teammates both on and off the court.