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Maryland Basketball: Juan Dixon hired as Coppin State coach

By Chris Bengel

Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon and special assistant Juan Dixon during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon and special assistant Juan Dixon during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Juan Dixon was one of the greatest players in Maryland basketball history.

According to Don Markus of The Baltimore Sun, Dixon is set to return home and has accepted the men’s basketball head coaching job at Coppin State.

Dixon had previously served as a special assistant to Mark Turgeon at Maryland for three seasons. Following the 2016-16 season, he didn’t return to the program.

Prior to that, the former Calvert Hall (Md.) standout played seven seasons in the NBA. He was selected with the No. 17 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards and played alongside Maryland teammate Steve Blake.

Dixon also suited up for the Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, and Toronto Raptors. He also had a second stint with the Wizards during the 2008-09 season.

In seven NBA seasons, Dixon averaged 8.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He shot 34.1 percent from beyond the arc during that time.

Dixon also played professionally overseas in Greece, Spain, and Turkey from 2009 to 2011.

His claim to fame will always be leading the Terrapins to a national championship in 2002. Dixon was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four and the ACC Player of the Year.

Dixon was also a three-time First Team All-ACC selection.

It’s certainly going to be an uphill battle for Dixon in his first men’s basketball gig. He was the head women’s basketball coach at the University of the District of Columbia (Division II) during the 2016-17 season and they went 3-25 with just nine players.

Next: Austin Fontaine & Evan Gregory commit to Maryland

The Eagles are coming off an 8-24 (7-9) season and went just 9-22 (6-10) the prior season under Michael Grant.