Thomas "Tank" Shiffert joined the Seahawks men's basketball coaching staff prior to the 2021-22 season.
In his first two seasons at St. Mary's College, Shiffert has helped the Seahawks to 25 wins and a berth in 2021-22 United East Conference Championship Tournament. He also helped to mentor three All-United East selections, eight United East Scholar-Athletes, and three NABC Honors Court members.
Shiffert served as an assistant coach at Division III Arcadia University (Glenside, Pa.) for three seasons, working with the 2018-19 MAC Commonwealth Conference Player of the Year, one NABC All-District Second Team player, and nine All-MAC selections, including four first teamers. For the 2020-21 shortened season, the Knights went 7-4 overall. Arcadia went 16-11 overall in 2019-20 and appeared in its second-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship. During his first year, the Knights won a program-best 23 games, captured their first conference championship, and made their first NCAA appearance. In his final season as an Arcadia assistant, Shiffert recruited
Jalen Watkins, who went on to become the 2021-22 MAC Freedom Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the 2022-23 MAC Freedom Conference Player of the Year.
The Nazareth, Pa., native arrived at Arcadia from Division II Slippery Rock University in the highly competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). In two seasons at The Rock, Shiffert helped guide the team to a 35-24 overall record and two appearances in the PSAC Tournament. Additionally, SRU was ranked among the Top 10 in the country for both offensive rebounding and FG % defense. He had a wide-range of duties that included player development, scouting, and recruiting. His primary role was to work with the post players during individual player breakdowns. Shiffert mentored an NABC All-District selection and two All-PSAC picks, including
Micah Till, a first teamer who averaged 21.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.
Shiffert also served as an assistant coach at Moravian College for the 2015-16 season, helping to mentor the Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year,
Oneil Holder, and to increase Moravian's win total by six wins from the previous season.
Prior to his time at Moravian, he was a student manager for the Division II East Stroudsburg University men’s basketball team for four seasons. His duties included helping to manage the program's daily operations, such as organizing practice and travel, assisting the coaching staff with scouting reports, and conducting individual player workouts. The Warriors won three PSAC East titles as well as two PSAC tournament championship titles while earning three NCAA Tournament berths during his tenure.
Shiffert also works as a coach and administrator for the prestigious Hoop Group and is a regular participant at the Elite and Top 100 camps along the East Coast.
- Master's in Criminal Justice - Slippery Rock University (2018)
- Bachelor's in Communications with a concentration in speech - East Stroudsburg University (2015)
- Lives in Lexington Park with wife, Meghan
Updated: July 20, 2023
