East Central University Athletics

Daniel Wheeler enters his third year as the East Central University head men's basketball coach.

During the 2023-24 season, the Tigers posted a 13-15 overall record and 9-13 mark in the Great American Conference. ECU's lone senior, Keyon Thomas, clinched his second consecutive All-GAC Honorable Mention accolade after amassing 398 total points this season for an average of 14.2 points per game.

In his first season with the Tigers, Wheeler led the team to an 18-11 overall record and 13-9 in the GAC. ECU entered the GAC Championships as the No. 4 seed and saw five players earn All-GAC Honors. Keyon Thomas, Luke Harper, and Quinton Johnson were all named to the All-GAC Honorable Mention Team while Romello Wilbert and Bryce Woolridge also represented ECU as Distinguished Scholar-Athletes. 

The athletic department announced the hiring of Wheeler as the 13th ECU Men's Basketball Head Coach in April of 2022.

Wheeler came to the Tigers after spending the last seven years as an assistant coach at the University of Central Oklahoma.  He started with the Bronchos in 2015 as a graduate assistant coach, moved to assistant coach in 2018 and spent the last two years as the lead assistant.

"I would like to thank President Gibson, coach Cole and everyone at East Central University for this amazing opportunity to be the next head coach at ECU," said Wheeler.  "This is an unbelievable blessing and I do not take it lightly.  There are so many people I need to thank for this as I did not get here on my own.  Thank you to all players that I have coached, coaches I have worked with and my family for their support."

In seven seasons he helped guide UCO to 112 wins, including three 20-win seasons.  The Bronchos advanced to the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament for the past three seasons, with the team advancing to the NCAA Division II Central Regional in 2021-22.

"My wife, Paige, and I look forward to coming to Ada and being involved in the community," Wheeler added.  "It is a wonderful place full of great people and support and we cannot wait to be in it.

I am excited to get started at ECU as there is such a great opportunity to build on the great tradition that is in this program.  I am ready to get to work with the team and start pursuing the things necessary to be excellent."

The Burden, Kan., native is married to the former Paige Klinger.