Air Force men’s basketball coach Joe Crispin made an early transaction on his staff, adding Tanner Massey. 

Massey joins the academy for the 2026-27 season after nearly two decades of experience at almost every level, including the NBA G League, FIBA, NCAA, NAIA, and high school. 

The South Carolina native was an assistant coach at St. Francis University during the 2025-26 season, where he was “heavily involved in offensive game-planning.” The Red Flash led the Northeast Conference in scoring and 3-pointers made. 

“I am excited to welcome Tanner and his family to Air Force,” Crispin said in a press release Monday. “He brings a wealth and diversity of experience that will serve our cadets and program well! I am confident he will help us fly, fight, and win!”

Tanner’s wife, Jessica, is a native of Denver. 

The move completes a shift on Crispin’s staff before he has coached a game with the Falcons.

Brian Boyle had initially been named to this position, but he recently opted instead to take an position on Wes Miller inaugural staff at UNC Charlotte. Boyle, whose hire had Air Force was announced in late April, had spent the last two years in the NBA G-League with the Greensboro Swarm. The position in Charlotte keeps the east coast native in North Carolina.

Before St. Francis, Massey led Atlantic Collegiate Academy High School to a South Carolina state title as head coach, and before that, was an associate head coach for Division II Goldey-Beacom for the 2023-24 season. 

Massey spent seven seasons in the NBA G League where he worked with players that went on to the NBA through the G League including Gary Payton, Jr. (Golden State), Justin Wright Foreman (Utah), Tyler Lydon (Denver), Okaro White (Miami), Archie Goodwin (Brooklyn), Kalin Lucas (Detroit), Stephen Zimmerman (Orlando) and Anthony Brown (Orlando).

Massey graduated from Coastal Carolina University in 2010 with a degree in communications and was a manager for the Chanticleer men’s basketball team.