Head Coach Chris Foster announced the hiring of Leo (Lay-o) Gomes to the staff as a graduate assistant in November of 2024. Gomes served as a volunteer assistant for the 2023-24 season on the Drury staff.
Gomes has a history of coaching experience most notable assistant Northern Iowa and Howard on their international trips to Brazil. Gomes was an assistant coach for the Caxieas Do Sul Basquete in the Brazilian NBB from 2014-2023. Prior to his time coaching in Brazil, Gomes had a brief stint working with the Austin Spurs, G-League affiliate of the San Antiono Spurs.
Gomes last played basketball in 2009 for Vila Velha in the Brazilian NBB. With time playing professionally around the globe, Gomes played his college ball at Missouri Southern State. While with the Lions, Gomes won the programs first MIAA title in-route to the NCAA-II Final Four with MSSU in 2000 before falling to Metro State. In the 2000-01 season, Gomes had a stand out season defensively recording 70 steals in 31 games, which is ninth best in MSSU history.
From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Gomes attend high school at Alton, just outside of St. Louis,
