Donald Copeland
PositionHead coach
Height5 ft
Height in10
Birth dateFebruary 11, 1984 (age 42)
Birth placeJersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
High schoolSt. Anthony
(Jersey City, New Jersey)
CollegeSeton Hall (2002–2006)
Draft year2006
Career start2006
Career end2015
Years 12006–2007
Team 1Boulogne-Levallois
Years 22007–2008
Team 2SKS Starogard Gdański
Years 32008
Team 3Coca-Cola Tigers
Years 42008–2009
Team 4PGE Turów
Years 52009–2010
Team 5KK Bosna Royal
Years 62010
Team 6Atléticos de San Germán
Years 72010–2011
Team 7Eisbären Bremerhaven
Years 82011
Team 8Atléticos de San Germán
Years 92011
Team 9Capitanes de Arecibo
Years 102011–2012
Team 10JL Bourg Basket
Years 112012
Team 11Capitanes de Arecibo
Years 122012
Team 12Vaqueros de Bayamón
Years 132012–2013
Team 13ZTE KK
Years 142013
Team 14Vaqueros de Bayamón
Years 152013
Team 15Atléticos de San Germán
Years 162013–2014
Team 16BC Kyiv
Years 172014
Team 17Piratas de Quebradillas
Years 182015
Team 18Leones de Ponce
Cyears 12015–2017
Cteam 1Wagner (GA)
Cyears 22017–2021
Cteam 2Wagner (assistant)
Cyears 32021–2022
Cteam 3Seton Hall (assistant)
Cyears 42022–2026
Cteam 4Wagner
Highlights

As player:

As coach:

Donald Copeland (born February 11, 1984) is an American former basketball player and coach. He was the current head coach of the Wagner Seahawks.[1]

Playing career

Copeland played basketball under Bob Hurley at St. Anthony High School where he helped lead the team to two state titles, while also earning all-state honors in New Jersey.[1] He'd play collegiately at Seton Hall under Louis Orr, and was named a Second Team All-Big East selection in his senior season.[2] He was voted Seton Hall’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year. [3] After graduation, Copeland would play professionally for nine seasons across Europe and in Puerto Rico.[4] He played on two championship teams in Puerto Rico, including as a member of Leones de Ponce in 2015.[5]

Coaching career

In 2015, Copeland joined the coaching staff at Wagner under Bashir Mason as a graduate assistant before being promoted to a full assistant coach in 2017.[1] In 2021, Copeland returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach under Kevin Willard for one season, before returning to Wagner to take the head coaching position when Mason departed for the head coaching position at Saint Peter's.[6][7]

Player abuse allegations and dismissal

In September 2025, multiple former Wagner players accused Copeland of abusive behavior in practices; Wagner suspended Copeland while investigating the claims.[8] In April 2026, Wagner fired Copeland and named assistant coach Dwan McMillan, who served as interim head coach during Copeland's suspension, as the new head coach.[9]

Personal life

Copeland is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey. In 2006, Copeland graduated from Seton Hall with a degree in communications and media studies,[3] He earned an MBA degree in 2017 from Wagner while serving on the coaching staff.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Donald Copeland – Head Coach – Staff Directory". Wagner College Athletics
  2. ^ "Donald Copeland College Stats"
  3. ^ "Donald Copeland - Men's Basketball Coach". Seton Hall University Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  4. ^ "Donald Copeland, Basketball Player". Proballers
  5. ^ "Donald Copeland - Head Coach - Staff Directory". Wagner College Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  6. ^ "Donald Copeland Returns to Seton Hall as Assistant Coach". Seton Hall University Athletics
  7. ^ Carino, Jerry. "'He will be a terrific head coach.' Wagner basketball hires Seton Hall's Donald Copeland". Asbury Park Press
  8. ^ Norlander, Matt (September 24, 2025). "Wagner coach Donald Copeland suspended as school investigates allegations of player abuse". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  9. ^ "Wagner Names Dwan McMillan Head Men’s Basketball Coach". Wagner Seahawks. April 20, 2026. Retrieved April 24, 2026.