Coaching Experience
• Assistant Coach, Cornell University (2025-present)
• Director of Basketball Operations, Cornell University (2024-25)
• Assistant Coach/Director of Basketball Operations, Virginia Military Institute (2022-24)
• Graduate Assistant Coach, University of South Carolina (2021-22)
• Student Manager, University of South Carolina (2017-21)
Education
• B.S., Marketing, University of South Carolina (2021)
• MBA, University of South Carolina (2023)
At Cornell
Luke Colwell joined the Cornell men's basketball coaching staff as the Director of Basketball Operations in May 2024 and was promoted to assistant coach in May of 2025. He previously served as one of the youngest Division I assistant coaches and basketball operations directors in the country during his time at VMI, and his energy and passion are emblematic of the Big Red's style of play.
This past season, the Big Red led the nation in assists (21.3) and 3-pointers made per game (12.9), while ranking among the top 10 nationally in effective field goal percentage (fifth, .599), 3-point percentage (sixth, .393), scoring offense (sixth, 88.5) and assist-to-turnover ratio (seventh, 1.83). Cornell set both school and Ivy League single-season records for assists (596) and 3-pointers (362), while also establishing a program-best assist-to-turnover ratio. Against one of the nation’s top mid-major schedules — including matchups with Illinois State (NIT Final Four), George Mason, Samford, Kent State, Towson and Sweet 16 participant Michigan State — the Big Red’s style translated across levels. Seniors Jake Fiegen (first team) and Cooper Noard (second team) were both named All-Ivy, with Noard capturing NABC all-district accolades. The Big Red returned to the Ivy League Tournament for a fifth consecutive year, rebounding for an 0-3 start in conference action to place fourth.
In his first season with the Big Red, Cornell finished second in the Ivy League and reached the championship game of the conference tournament as part of an 18-11 campaign in 2024-25. Cornell set school records in assists, 3-pointers made per game and assist:turnover ratio. It led the nation in two-point field goal percentage (.620) and effective field goal percentage (.592), was second in assists per game (19.1), third in overall field goal percentage (.501) and fourth in both scoring offense (85.1) and 3-pointers per game (11.2). The team owned wins over NIT qualifier Samford, swept Princeton and won at California - the program's first win over an ACC opponent in 73 years.
Prior to Cornell
Colwell wore many hats during his two seasons at VMI, including coordinating team travel, meals, practice planning, social media, official visit logistics, and facilities. In addition, he was responsible for opposing scouts, game film and player development.
Colwell worked at South Carolina under head coach Frank Martin for four years as a student manager, including as head manager his senior year and co-head manager the prior two, and then another as a graduate assistant coach. As a grad assistant, Colwell served as the assistant video coordinator filming practice, cutting opponent film, and editing highlight tapes. As a student manager, he was responsible for managing health and safety protocols during COVID, filming practices, creating scouting reports, assisting in player development and helping all travel/meal logistics.
He graduated in 2021 from South Carolina as a dual major in finance and marketing with a minor in sport and entertainment management. He received his MBA from South Carolina in 2023.
Updated April 2026
