Coaching Staff

Jack Stevens | Assistant coach

Jack Stevens, a 2021 College of Wooster alumnus who was instrumental in the Fighting Scots’ success during his time as a student, is in his third year in a full-time role as the storied program's lead assistant coach.

Stevens arrived in Wooster for the fall 2017 semester and made an immediate impact on the program as a student assistant. In that role, Stevens had a part in the Scots’ recruiting efforts, and aided with skill development workouts, scouting reports, practices, and on-campus visits. Wooster went 70-25 during Stevens’ time as a student assistant, won a North Coast Athletic Conference title, and made three appearances in the NCAA Div. III Championships. Since his elevation to a full-time role, Wooster has won one NCAC title and he was part of the NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year for the 2022-23 season.

In the offseason, Stevens is a basketball skills trainer. He works with over 30 college players from 19 different NCAA Div. I conferences - including all five Power 5 conferences - in addition to professional players from the NBA G League, and various professional leagues throughout the world.

He graduated in 2021 with a degree in education and history.

Mel Burke Jr. | Assistant coach

Mel Burke Jr. is in his second year as an assistant with The College of Wooster men’s basketball program.

Burke Jr. joins the college ranks following five years with Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School’s program. There, he was part of two district titles.

Burke Jr. graduated from Cleveland State University in 2018 with a degree in business administration. Professionally, he is a fraud analyst in the information technology and healthcare industry.

Of note, his father is a legendary high school girls basketball coach in the Cleveland area.

Phil Kuchta | Assistant coach

Phil Kuchta, who has strong ties to the high school scene in Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties, joined The College of Wooster men’s basketball staff prior to the 2022-23 season. He assists with all aspects of the program.

Kuchta arrived in Wooster after serving on Baldwin Wallace University’s staff since 2018. There, he was part of the Yellow Jackets’ 2019 Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament title and first-round NCAA Tournament victory, firsts for the program since 2006. At BW, Kuchta assisted with on-court coaching in practice, recruiting and evaluating student-athletes, analyzing game film, scouting, and travel and logistics.

Prior to transitioning to the college ranks, Kuchta transformed Elyria Catholic High School’s boys’ program into a highly-respected one within the Cleveland area. Kuchta turned around a program that went 4-18 in his first year to one that made four district appearances in a five-year stretch and won two conference titles. He has extensive experience on the camp circuit working Ivy League camps at Columbia University and Yale University.

The former high school educator holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cleveland State University. Prior to embarking on a career in coaching and education, Kuchta honorably served in the United States Marine Corps for six years.