FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- With a new head coach, Fairmont State University's men's basketball team is welcoming new additions to its coaching staff. Head Coach Dan Mondragon has finalized his 2026-27 staff with high hopes of a successful year. Returning Assistant Coach Trent Howard will be joined by newcomers Sam Rolle and Preston Boswell.

Rolle reunites with Mondragon after an outstanding career at Davis and Elkins College, where he served as the team's starting point guard for five years, four of them under the helm of Mondragon. Upon graduation, Rolle served as an assistant coach at D&E. He had a very successful college basketball career finishing second all-time leading scorer for D&E. He also ranks fourth all-time in MEC history in both scoring and assists.

His long list of accolades includes MEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2021, two All-MEC first-team selections, a second-team honor, All-MEC Tournament Team recognition, the Heart Hustle Award and a spot on the All-Atlantic Region Team.

Mondragon speaks about his former player, now turned coach.

"I am beyond excited to add Sam Rolle to our staff," Mondragon exclaims. "As a coach, anytime you are in a position to hire a former player, let alone your starting point guard, it is a special moment. Sam is someone that entrusted me and our vision at D&E and was the cornerstone of that success. We have been through a lot together and he is the perfect fit for our staff as a young star in this profession. He will invest and love our players, and they will love him. A winner in every sense of the word, he will help our program reach new heights."

Preston Boswell is another new addition to the Falcons' coaching staff. Most recently, Boswell served as an assistant coach at UPIKE, one of the top NAIA programs in the country. Prior to UPIKE, he served as an assistant coach at Davis & Elkins College. No stranger to the MEC, Boswell played at Wheeling and West Liberty before concluding his collegiate career at California University of Pennsylvania playing for the Vulcans.

A native of New Martinsville, West Virginia, Boswell was a standout player during his college career, scoring 1,583 points in 117 games while starting every game he played. He also competed in three NCAA Division II Tournaments.

Throughout his coaching career, Boswell handled a wide range of responsibilities including recruiting, scouting reports, player development, strength and conditioning, academic advising, video work, and practice planning. He has also played a significant role in guard development, individual skill work, and on-campus recruit evaluations.

Mondragon believes Boswell's experiences and work ethic will make an immediate impact on the program.

"Preston is a rising coach who not only was an in-state high school standout, but he also had a terrific career in the MEC. We spent one season together on the sidelines and he quickly continued to grow and advance in this profession," Mondragon mentioned. "His familiarity with the league and the region is second to none and his passion for coaching people is unmatched. If you ask anyone about Preston Boswell, the one thing they will tell you, is he is a worker. He will be an impact hire for our staff, and our players will benefit tremendously from learning from him." 

Returning for his third year as assistant coach is Trent Howard, who has become a key part of the Falcons' success. Howard began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Akron before spending five seasons at Concord University. Since arriving at Fairmont State, he has played a significant role in the development of the program and has earned the respect of both players and fellow coaches.

The Falcons enjoyed an impressive 2025-26 campaign, advancing to the MEC Championship and earning a berth in the NCAA Atlantic Regional. The team featured three All-Conference selections, including one player who earned Second Team honors from both the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team and the NABC All-District Team. Fairmont State finished the season with a 26-6 record and competed at a high level throughout the year.

Mondragon emphasized the importance of retaining Howard as he built his staff for his first year here as Head Coach.

"When I got the job, the first thing I had to do was to hire the right people for Fairmont State. Everyone I spoke to regardless of role, title, or association with Trent made it clear that he was the right guy," he exclaimed. "Keeping Trent was not only the first decision I made upon being hired, but maybe the most critical to us getting off on the right foot with recruiting and camps. Trent' s familiarity with the program, the university and the community has aided my transition greatly, not to mention the fact that in his first year, we won a conference championship. He knows what it takes to win in this league and has been a huge part of our success in the last two years. He will continue to impact our program at the highest level in all areas, and I am fired up to have him on our staff."

As excitement continues to build around the start of a new era under Mondragon, the head coach is equally enthusiastic about the staff assembled around him. The additions of Rolle and Boswell bring new perspectives, strong recruiting ties, and valuable playing and coaching experience, while Howard provides continuity and leadership within the program.

Together, Mondragon, Howard, Rolle, and Boswell will look to build on the Falcons' recent success and guide Fairmont State men's basketball toward an exciting future.