The Red Wolves men's basketball program added more than 1,700 points to its bench.

Tyler Rigby has been named assistant basketball coach at Indiana University East, the school announced June 5. Rigby also will serve as the assistant coach for the cross country and track and field teams, and also will oversee the Graf Recreation Center.

Rigby played basketball for the Red Wolves from 2008 to 2011 and is the school's leader in NAIA career points.

"It's great to have one of our own who made the program what it is continue to be a part of it," said IU East athletic director and men's basketball coach Mark Hester, Rigby's coach during his Red Wolves playing career. "He set himself up for this opportunity by doing things the right way on and off of the floor. His respect level from the players is so high because of the caliber of person he is. The work ethic he has will lend itself very well to coaching."

Rigby served as a volunteer assistant during the 2011-12 school year while completing his Bachelor of Science in Education.

"It made sense (to coach at IU East) because I've dedicated so much time here and have an emotional commitment to IU East," Rigby said. "The opportunity to coach here gives me another way to give back to the university because it has given me a lot over my years here."

Rigby was IU East's Male Athlete of the Year three times and also won the school's Champions of Character award.

He still holds eight IU East basketball school records, including the school record for points with 1,708.

His message to future IU East players:

"You are going to get somebody who is dedicated to helping you become the best player you can be and will teach you that a lot of that has to do with the hard work you put in."

Rigby is a native of Bryant, Ind. He led Jay County High School to the Indiana Class 3A state finals in 2006, where he won the prestigious Trester Award for mental attitude.

Rigby fills the vacancy created when Tyler Daugherty, IU East's men's basketball assistant the past two seasons, accepted a job in his home state of Iowa.