2020-21 Nighthawk Basketball Coaching Staff
Varsity Head Coach: Brian Wethers -- 7th year Varsity Head Coach, 9th season overall.
Wethers enters his third season as Head of the Nighthawk Boys Basketball program. He previously ran two other local high school programs; Calvary Murrieta and Linfield Christian. Wethers was the Director of Basketball Operations at the University of California-Riverside. Wethers attended the University of California-Berkeley (1999-2003) where he was a four-year starter for the Golden Bears. He holds the school record for most points scored in a single NCAA tournament game with 27. After college, he went on to play professionally overseas in numerous countries; Germany, France, Australia, Ukraine, New Zealand and Lebanon. He also spent time in the NBDL with the Bakersfield Jam. While playing in Australia, Wethers led the league in scoring and was named League MVP.
Wethers #25 hangs high above the north-end basket in the Hawk House. During his time at Murrieta Valley, he was a four-year Varsity starter (1995-1999), All-League four years, League MVP as a Junior and Senior, Riverside County Player of the Year his Senior year, All-State his Senior year and a Top-25 National Recruit. Wethers remains the programs all-time leading scorer.
Wethers is married to his wife, Meghan and they have two children; Victoria and Donovan.
Wethers enters his third season as Head of the Nighthawk Boys Basketball program. He previously ran two other local high school programs; Calvary Murrieta and Linfield Christian. Wethers was the Director of Basketball Operations at the University of California-Riverside. Wethers attended the University of California-Berkeley (1999-2003) where he was a four-year starter for the Golden Bears. He holds the school record for most points scored in a single NCAA tournament game with 27. After college, he went on to play professionally overseas in numerous countries; Germany, France, Australia, Ukraine, New Zealand and Lebanon. He also spent time in the NBDL with the Bakersfield Jam. While playing in Australia, Wethers led the league in scoring and was named League MVP.
Wethers #25 hangs high above the north-end basket in the Hawk House. During his time at Murrieta Valley, he was a four-year Varsity starter (1995-1999), All-League four years, League MVP as a Junior and Senior, Riverside County Player of the Year his Senior year, All-State his Senior year and a Top-25 National Recruit. Wethers remains the programs all-time leading scorer.
Wethers is married to his wife, Meghan and they have two children; Victoria and Donovan.
Program Director/Varsity Assistant Coach: Daniel "Coach D" Millard -- 3rd year Program Director/Varsity Assistant Coach, 10th season overall.
Millard enters his fourth season in the Nighthawk Basketball Program. He worked previously in the greater Los Angeles area, working with both at risk, as well as, general youth mentorship and basketball programs across the county. He has since, relocated back to the Murrieta area, where he once attended Murrieta Valley High School for a couple of years during the late 1990s. Since returning, he has continued his passion of working with the communities youth for greater development. He has two young sons; Ethan and Jaden. Coach D is thrilled to once again be apart of the Nighthawk Family.
Millard enters his fourth season in the Nighthawk Basketball Program. He worked previously in the greater Los Angeles area, working with both at risk, as well as, general youth mentorship and basketball programs across the county. He has since, relocated back to the Murrieta area, where he once attended Murrieta Valley High School for a couple of years during the late 1990s. Since returning, he has continued his passion of working with the communities youth for greater development. He has two young sons; Ethan and Jaden. Coach D is thrilled to once again be apart of the Nighthawk Family.
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Ryan "Bulldog" Shrader -- 5th year Strength & Conditioning Coach, 5th season overall.
Shrader is a graduate of Murrieta Valley's Class of 1997. He spent four years in the Nighthawk Basketball program, three seasons on the Varsity level. Shrader's commitment to the game, his teammates and the weight room earned him the Mr. Hustle award three times. The award was changed his Senior season from Mr. Hustle to the Bulldog Award and it is still given out every year on the Varsity level.
Shrader is a graduate of Murrieta Valley's Class of 1997. He spent four years in the Nighthawk Basketball program, three seasons on the Varsity level. Shrader's commitment to the game, his teammates and the weight room earned him the Mr. Hustle award three times. The award was changed his Senior season from Mr. Hustle to the Bulldog Award and it is still given out every year on the Varsity level.
Junior Varsity Head Coach: Doug Hemmerling -- 4th year JV Head Coach, 11th season overall.
This is Coach Hemmerling’s 5th season with the Nighthawks. He previously led the 13’-14’ Freshman team to an impressive 24-1 season before taking the 14’-15’ season off to complete his teaching credential. Coach Hemmerling would like to thank his wife, Meghan, daughter Logan and son Ty, for all the sacrifices they have made allowing him to follow his passion in teaching and coaching.
This is Coach Hemmerling’s 5th season with the Nighthawks. He previously led the 13’-14’ Freshman team to an impressive 24-1 season before taking the 14’-15’ season off to complete his teaching credential. Coach Hemmerling would like to thank his wife, Meghan, daughter Logan and son Ty, for all the sacrifices they have made allowing him to follow his passion in teaching and coaching.
Freshman Head Coach: Mark Nielsen -- 4th year Freshman Head Coach, 14th season overall.
Coach Nielsen enters his first season as the Junior Varsity Head Coach in the Nighthawk Boys Basketball program. He has been coaching in the Southwestern League for twelve seasons in both; basketball and baseball. Coach Nielsen has coached Freshman Baseball at MV, Freshman and Varsity Basketball at Murrieta Mesa and Murrieta Valley.
Nielsen graduated from Lakewood High School where he played Varsity basketball for three seasons and was apart of their 1982 CIF Championship team. He made All-CIF, All-League, All-City and All-South Bay. He earned a 4-year basketball scholarship to Cal Poly Pomona and played one season professionally overseas in China.
Nielsen is retired, married to his wife, Margarete and has three children. His son, Kyle, graduated from MV and played baseball at Cal Poly Pomona. His daughter, Katelyn, graduated from MV and earned a scholarship to Cal State Fullerton for Volleyball. Katelyn begins Med School in the fall. His daughter, Maggie, is currently a Senior at MV and received a scholarship from Azusa Pacific for Volleyball.
Coach Nielsen enters his first season as the Junior Varsity Head Coach in the Nighthawk Boys Basketball program. He has been coaching in the Southwestern League for twelve seasons in both; basketball and baseball. Coach Nielsen has coached Freshman Baseball at MV, Freshman and Varsity Basketball at Murrieta Mesa and Murrieta Valley.
Nielsen graduated from Lakewood High School where he played Varsity basketball for three seasons and was apart of their 1982 CIF Championship team. He made All-CIF, All-League, All-City and All-South Bay. He earned a 4-year basketball scholarship to Cal Poly Pomona and played one season professionally overseas in China.
Nielsen is retired, married to his wife, Margarete and has three children. His son, Kyle, graduated from MV and played baseball at Cal Poly Pomona. His daughter, Katelyn, graduated from MV and earned a scholarship to Cal State Fullerton for Volleyball. Katelyn begins Med School in the fall. His daughter, Maggie, is currently a Senior at MV and received a scholarship from Azusa Pacific for Volleyball.
Freshman Assistant Coach: Gregory Perry -- 2nd year Freshman Assistant Coach, 2nd season overall.
