Thomas Kithier is back in basketball, this time on the sideline.
The former Michigan State forward has joined the Utah State coaching staff, adding another name to the growing list of ex-Spartans making their way through the coaching ranks. Kithier will serve as a video coordinator and assistant coach this season.
His move to Utah State comes after a season on Dwayne Stephens’ staff at Western Michigan, where he helped the Broncos finish fourth in the MAC in rebounding and third in offensive rebounding during conference play. That skill set was familiar to anyone who watched him at Michigan State, even in a limited role.
Kithier’s numbers in East Lansing were modest, but the glass was always his lane. As a sophomore, he averaged 3.2 rebounds in a little more than 12 minutes per game, then followed that with 2.5 rebounds in 10 minutes per game as a junior. The production may not jump off the page, but the profile was clear: if he had played starter minutes, the rebound totals likely would have looked a lot bigger.
He arrived at Michigan State as a four-star member of the 2018 class alongside Foster Loyer, who was expected to become a breakout player in East Lansing despite his small frame. The pairing never really clicked the way many had hoped, and Kithier drew plenty of criticism from fans who thought he didn’t bring enough on offense and wasn’t reliable enough defensively. Rebounding was the one area where he consistently gave the Spartans something.
After leaving Michigan State, Kithier transferred to Valparaiso, where a back injury forced him to retire early. He still posted 10.1 points and 6.6 rebounds at Valpo.
Even if he wasn’t a favorite with every Michigan State fan, the source of the frustration was never his character. There was never anything negative said about him as a teammate or person, and his departure after his junior season was mutual and ended on good terms.
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