Roland Houston is in his fourth season as an assistant coach on the Men’s Basketball staff. His responsibilities include practice and game-day preparation, scouting opponents as well as recruiting and academic duties. Widely respected as a national and international recruiter, Houston has recruited and developed numerous all-conference players during his tenure at George Mason, George Washington, and La Salle.
Under Houston’s tutelage at Mason, Ryan Pearson developed into the 2012 CAA Player of the Year. In his first two seasons, Houston was an integral part in George Mason winning 24 and 22 games, respectively, marking only the second time in school history that a new staff recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons. While sharing scouting responsibilities, Houston helped Mason reach the final game of the CBI Tournament in 2013.
Prior to his arrival at Mason, Houston spent seven seasons at George Washington University. During his time at GW, Houston worked as an assistant coach and was elevated to the position of associate head coach in 2010-11. He helped develop several all-conference players, which included TJ Thompson, Carl Elliott, Maurice Rice, JR Pinnock, Mike Hall, and Pops Mensah-Bonsu. Both Hall and Mensah-Bonsu went on to have professional careers in the NBA. During the 2005-06 season, Houston played a major role in George Washington becoming one of only four teams to ever go undefeated in the Atlantic 10 conference regular season at 16-0 and finish with an overall record of 27-3. During the storied season, the Colonials ranked as high as 6th in the Associated Press and Coaches’ polls. During his time at George Washington University, Houston was part of three NCAA tournament bids while winning two Atlantic 10 Tournament Championships and a regular season conference championship.
Known as a coach who can develop and evaluate talent, Houston was instrumental in the development and recruitment of several NBA players at La Salle, including Gary Neal of the Milwaukee Bucks and former NBA and A-10 All-Conference player Rasual Butler. While with the Explorers, Houston recruited eventual two-time A-10 Player of the Year Steven Smith who earned the honor in both 2005 and 2006. Under Houston’s tutelage, Darnell Harris was named All-Atlantic 10 Second Team in 2008. Houston was an assistant and associate head coach at La Salle University from 1999-2004.
Upon graduation from URI, Houston spent 13 years playing professionally in France, Spain, and Israel as well as winning a championship in Argentina. During his time overseas, Houston studied French at the Universite’ de Nice in Nice, France. He is proficient in French and Spanish and furthered his knowledge of Spanish taking Spanish language graduate courses while coaching at La Salle.
Houston earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in communications at the University of Rhode Island in 1982. During that time, Houston was a part of two top 20 teams and averaged double figure points and rebounds in his senior season. While at Rhode Island, Houston wrote for his school newspaper and produced and hosted a jazz show.
Houston resides in Alexandria with wife his wife, Lisa and daughter, Zuri.
