GREENSBORO — UNC Greensboro men's basketball has added Ronnie Harris II to its staff, naming him general manager and assistant coach, the program announced Monday. The hire brings a hybrid background in athletics, venture finance and nonprofit work to a program aiming to strengthen its recruiting, roster development and off-court resources.
Experienced hire with business and coaching blend
Head coach Jerod Haase framed the addition as a strategic move to expand the program’s capacity beyond traditional coaching duties.
"Ronnie has a wide-ranging background in athletics and business... His work ethic, intelligence and vision will help elevate our program both on and off the court."The university release emphasized Harris II’s mix of relationship building, strategic initiative leadership and results-driven experience.
Harris II’s résumé includes more than a decade across athletics, venture capital, technology banking and nonprofit leadership. He spent nearly eight years at Silicon Valley Bank, where he worked with venture-backed technology companies, founders and investors and helped structure more than $200 million in venture debt transactions. He also founded Thoreau Giving, a nonprofit focused on housing stability that has raised more than $250,000.
- Nearly eight years at Silicon Valley Bank, focused on venture debt and partnerships.
- Founder and CEO of Thoreau Giving, a three-year-old nonprofit for housing stability.
- Coaching and mentoring experience with youth programs and sports camps.
What Harris brings to Greensboro athletics
On the court, Harris II has experience coaching and mentoring youth athletes through camps and personal training. Off the court, his banking and nonprofit background suggests a role that could bridge fundraising, community engagement and operational support for the program. The university characterized his skills as relevant to both relationship management and team development.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SVB tenure | Nearly 8 years |
| Venture debt structured | $200 million+ |
| Thoreau Giving | Founded 3 years ago; $250,000+ raised |
| College athletics | Former Stanford football player; part of 3 Pac-12 titles, 2 Rose Bowls |
Harris II played Division I football at Stanford, where he was a team captain and earned All-Pac-12 and Academic All-Pac-12 honors. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master of Arts in communication from Stanford.
Local and regional stakes
For Greensboro and Guilford County, additions to UNCG’s staff carry implications beyond wins and losses. As the city’s largest public university continues to elevate its athletic profile, staff who can combine fundraising, corporate partnership development and community programs can affect local engagement, job opportunities and economic activity tied to athletics. At the state level, UNCG’s moves are part of a broader trend of mid-major programs leveraging off-court expertise to compete for recruits and resources.
The announcement leaves open questions about Harris II’s specific responsibilities and how his role will be divided between on-court coaching duties and broader managerial tasks. The program release focused on his capacity to build strategic partnerships and lead initiatives, signaling an expanded administrative footprint within the coaching staff.
UNCG did not provide a timeline for when Harris II will begin his duties or detail his day-to-day responsibilities. The hire follows coach Haase’s effort to assemble a staff that can address both competitive and institutional objectives as the Spartans aim to compete in the Southern Conference and maintain a presence in the state’s college basketball landscape.
