Weber State University Athletics
Jorge Ruiz named Assistant General Manager of Weber State Basketball
1/12/2026 4:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Ruiz is in his eighth season on the Weber State coaching staff and will also continue as an assistant coach.
OGDEN - Weber State Athletics and General Manager Damian Lillard have announced that Jorge Ruiz has been named the new Assistant General Manager for the Wildcats.Â
University administration and Lillard arrived at the decision to name Ruiz to this role as a strategic step in the program's evolution, ensuring alignment between the university's executive leadership and the basketball front office.Â
Ruiz, currently in his eighth season with the program, will continue his duties as an assistant coach while taking on these expanded responsibilities.
"We feel like Jorge is a perfect fit for this role in our basketball program," said Athletic Director Tim Crompton. "His ability to work closely with Damian and our coaching staff, his knowledge of Weber State basketball, and his connections in the collegiate basketball community make him uniquely qualified. This is a position that is becoming more prevalent in Division I basketball and aligns perfectly with the vision we have for our program."
According to Crompton, Ruiz will work closely with Lillard and head coach Eric Duft on roster construction, recruiting, player evaluation, NIL and transfer portal coordination, and strengthening relationships with alumni, supporters, and recruits.Â
Damian Lillard, a nine-time NBA All-Star who was named General Manager in August 2025, emphasized the importance of the partnership in this selection.
"Jorge and I have built a strong relationship over the years," Lillard said. "In arriving at the decision to name an Assistant GM, I wanted someone on the ground—someone I was very familiar with and trusted with this moment, and someone familiar with the fabric of what the Weber State Basketball program represents. I'm excited to continue to build our program back to the top of the Big Sky and into the NCAA Tournament with him."
"I am looking forward to working alongside Dame, Coach Duft, and Tim Crompton to help guide Weber State basketball through the new landscape of college basketball," Ruiz said. "Weber State is a special place with a rich tradition, and I'm excited to work to maintain continuity in our roster while managing new additions to the program in this role."
Ruiz is in his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Wildcats. Since being named to the position by head coach Eric Duft in May 2022, he has helped coach five players to All-Big Sky honors, including one conference MVP and NBA Draft pick Dillon Jones.
"I'm very excited about Jorge stepping into this new position," head coach Eric Duft said. "He will work closely with Damian on roster construction and, more importantly, player development on and off the court in this new era of college athletics. Jorge is very connected in the recruiting world, and his relationship-building will be vital for our program moving forward."
A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Ruiz graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2018 with degrees in communications and sociology. His extensive background includes serving as Director of Operations at Weber State for three seasons, as well as roles at Arizona State and the Adidas Basketball Circuit.
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University administration and Lillard arrived at the decision to name Ruiz to this role as a strategic step in the program's evolution, ensuring alignment between the university's executive leadership and the basketball front office.Â
Ruiz, currently in his eighth season with the program, will continue his duties as an assistant coach while taking on these expanded responsibilities.
"We feel like Jorge is a perfect fit for this role in our basketball program," said Athletic Director Tim Crompton. "His ability to work closely with Damian and our coaching staff, his knowledge of Weber State basketball, and his connections in the collegiate basketball community make him uniquely qualified. This is a position that is becoming more prevalent in Division I basketball and aligns perfectly with the vision we have for our program."
According to Crompton, Ruiz will work closely with Lillard and head coach Eric Duft on roster construction, recruiting, player evaluation, NIL and transfer portal coordination, and strengthening relationships with alumni, supporters, and recruits.Â
Damian Lillard, a nine-time NBA All-Star who was named General Manager in August 2025, emphasized the importance of the partnership in this selection.
"Jorge and I have built a strong relationship over the years," Lillard said. "In arriving at the decision to name an Assistant GM, I wanted someone on the ground—someone I was very familiar with and trusted with this moment, and someone familiar with the fabric of what the Weber State Basketball program represents. I'm excited to continue to build our program back to the top of the Big Sky and into the NCAA Tournament with him."
"I am looking forward to working alongside Dame, Coach Duft, and Tim Crompton to help guide Weber State basketball through the new landscape of college basketball," Ruiz said. "Weber State is a special place with a rich tradition, and I'm excited to work to maintain continuity in our roster while managing new additions to the program in this role."
Ruiz is in his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Wildcats. Since being named to the position by head coach Eric Duft in May 2022, he has helped coach five players to All-Big Sky honors, including one conference MVP and NBA Draft pick Dillon Jones.
"I'm very excited about Jorge stepping into this new position," head coach Eric Duft said. "He will work closely with Damian on roster construction and, more importantly, player development on and off the court in this new era of college athletics. Jorge is very connected in the recruiting world, and his relationship-building will be vital for our program moving forward."
A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Ruiz graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2018 with degrees in communications and sociology. His extensive background includes serving as Director of Operations at Weber State for three seasons, as well as roles at Arizona State and the Adidas Basketball Circuit.
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