CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Chattanooga Mocs head basketball coach John Shulman announced the addition of DeAntoine Beasley to his coaching staff on Monday.  Beasley, who takes the place of Jay Bowen, comes to Chattanooga from his alma mater Tennessee Tech.

"I think it says a lot about our program when you get someone of DeAntoine's abilities from his alma mater," said head coach John Shulman.  "He is going to have a tremendous impact on our program.  He was a pro, graduated from college and persevered through some amazing circumstances.  He is one of most inspirational people I've ever met."

Beasley played for Frank Harrell and Jeff Lebo at Tennessee Tech from 1998-2002.  He led the Eagles to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships in 2001 and 2002. TTU went 27-7 in 2002 winning three NIT games to close out the season.  He earned his degree in Health and Physical Education before starting a professional career.  He played with current Mocs assistants Rick Cabrera and Brent Jolly at Tech.

During his collegiate career, Beasley's resolve was tested with the discovery of Hodgkin's Disease during his sophomore year (1998-99).  He completed the season and then redshirted 1999-2000 to battle the disease.  He returned to the court the following year as a junior.

"Cat" played seven seasons of professional basketball in Europe.  All seven years were spent in England competing for the Plymouth Raiders (2002-2009) where he led the team to the National Cup title, National Trophy and league championship.  He was the National Trophy most valuable player in 2004, a perennial all-star and won the 2004 BBC Sports Personality Award for the Southwest Region.

"He is a great role model for our student-athletes," added Shulman.  "He graduated, led teams to championships and played as a pro. The fact that there is a history with our staff made the decision that much easier."

He got his coaching start in England with the men's program at the University College of St. Mark and St. John for three seasons (2003-05).  His teams advanced to the national title game all three years, winning in 2003 and 2004.

Beasley is a native of Atlanta, Ga., where he prepped at South Cobb High School.  He is in Chattanooga for a brief time this week before jetting back across the pond to marry Katie Hespe of Sheffield, England on August 11.