Staff Directory
Buzzy Caruthers
- Title:
- Director of Player Development
Coaching Milestones
• Over two decades of coaching and mentorship across the high school, junior college and Division I ranks.
• 11 postseason appearances across junior college, NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II levels.
• Coaching experience across five Division I conferences, providing a broad national recruiting perspective.
• Known as a relationship-driven mentor, helping student-athletes maximize their potential on and off the court.
Pronunciation
Last: kuh-RUH-thers
Bertram "Buzzy" Caruthers joined the University of Michigan men's basketball program in 2026 after building a reputation as a relationship-driven mentor and player developer during a coaching career spanning two decades across the high school, junior college and Division I and II levels.
Working alongside head coach Mike Boynton Jr. and the Wolverines' coaching staff, Caruthers oversees Michigan's player development program, guiding student-athletes in leadership, personal mentorship, academic success and team culture while helping prepare them for long-term success both on and off the court.
Caruthers comes to Michigan after two seasons as an assistant coach at Ball State, where he played a key role in player development, recruiting, scouting and game preparation. Working extensively with the Cardinals' guards, he helped guide Jermahri Hill to All-Mid-American Conference honorable mention honors following the 2024-25 season.
Prior to Ball State, Caruthers spent two seasons at Missouri State under head coach Dana Ford. He was instrumental in the development of Alston Mason, who earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors after ranking third in the league in scoring at 17.6 points per game during the 2023-24 season. In his first season with the Bears, Donovan Clay earned All-MVC Second Team and MVC All-Defensive Team honors.
Before returning to the bench, Caruthers served three seasons (2019-22) as director of player development at Nebraska under head coach Fred Hoiberg. In that role, he oversaw leadership and player development programming while contributing to the day-to-day operations of the Cornhuskers' program.
Caruthers' coaching career has included stops at Maryville University, Lincoln University (Mo.), St. John's University, Butler Community College, Chipola College and Dodge City Community College. At Lincoln, he helped guide the Blue Tigers to consecutive MIAA Tournament appearances, including an 80-76 loss to eventual NCAA Division II national champion Northwest Missouri State in the conference tournament quarterfinals.
Known for identifying and developing talent, Caruthers helped more than 20 junior college student-athletes advance to NCAA Division I or Division II programs during his junior college coaching career, including eight all-conference performers.
Caruthers was also a founding coach of MoKan Elite, one of the nation's premier grassroots basketball programs, helping develop many of the Midwest's top prospects. He worked camps directed by NBA head coach Tyronn Lue and veteran NBA guard Alec Burks while assisting with offseason skill development for professional players, including Burks, Kyle Weems and former Nebraska standout Shavon Shields. Through his coaching, camps and player development work, more than 40 athletes have advanced to NCAA Division I or Division II basketball.
A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Caruthers began his coaching career at Barstow High School, where he helped transform the program into a consistent winner, contributing to a school-record 24-win season. He later returned to his alma mater, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, where he helped lead the program to a league championship and the 2012 Kansas Class 4A state championship.
As a player, Caruthers was a member of two Kansas state championship teams at Sumner Academy before continuing his career at Hampton University. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Hampton in 2006.
Caruthers and his wife, Diorlena, have a son Bertram IV.
• Over two decades of coaching and mentorship across the high school, junior college and Division I ranks.
• 11 postseason appearances across junior college, NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II levels.
• Coaching experience across five Division I conferences, providing a broad national recruiting perspective.
• Known as a relationship-driven mentor, helping student-athletes maximize their potential on and off the court.
Pronunciation
Last: kuh-RUH-thers
Bertram "Buzzy" Caruthers joined the University of Michigan men's basketball program in 2026 after building a reputation as a relationship-driven mentor and player developer during a coaching career spanning two decades across the high school, junior college and Division I and II levels.
Working alongside head coach Mike Boynton Jr. and the Wolverines' coaching staff, Caruthers oversees Michigan's player development program, guiding student-athletes in leadership, personal mentorship, academic success and team culture while helping prepare them for long-term success both on and off the court.
Caruthers comes to Michigan after two seasons as an assistant coach at Ball State, where he played a key role in player development, recruiting, scouting and game preparation. Working extensively with the Cardinals' guards, he helped guide Jermahri Hill to All-Mid-American Conference honorable mention honors following the 2024-25 season.
Prior to Ball State, Caruthers spent two seasons at Missouri State under head coach Dana Ford. He was instrumental in the development of Alston Mason, who earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors after ranking third in the league in scoring at 17.6 points per game during the 2023-24 season. In his first season with the Bears, Donovan Clay earned All-MVC Second Team and MVC All-Defensive Team honors.
Before returning to the bench, Caruthers served three seasons (2019-22) as director of player development at Nebraska under head coach Fred Hoiberg. In that role, he oversaw leadership and player development programming while contributing to the day-to-day operations of the Cornhuskers' program.
Caruthers' coaching career has included stops at Maryville University, Lincoln University (Mo.), St. John's University, Butler Community College, Chipola College and Dodge City Community College. At Lincoln, he helped guide the Blue Tigers to consecutive MIAA Tournament appearances, including an 80-76 loss to eventual NCAA Division II national champion Northwest Missouri State in the conference tournament quarterfinals.
Known for identifying and developing talent, Caruthers helped more than 20 junior college student-athletes advance to NCAA Division I or Division II programs during his junior college coaching career, including eight all-conference performers.
Caruthers was also a founding coach of MoKan Elite, one of the nation's premier grassroots basketball programs, helping develop many of the Midwest's top prospects. He worked camps directed by NBA head coach Tyronn Lue and veteran NBA guard Alec Burks while assisting with offseason skill development for professional players, including Burks, Kyle Weems and former Nebraska standout Shavon Shields. Through his coaching, camps and player development work, more than 40 athletes have advanced to NCAA Division I or Division II basketball.
A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Caruthers began his coaching career at Barstow High School, where he helped transform the program into a consistent winner, contributing to a school-record 24-win season. He later returned to his alma mater, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, where he helped lead the program to a league championship and the 2012 Kansas Class 4A state championship.
As a player, Caruthers was a member of two Kansas state championship teams at Sumner Academy before continuing his career at Hampton University. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Hampton in 2006.
Caruthers and his wife, Diorlena, have a son Bertram IV.
The Buzzy Caruthers File
Born: June 17, 1983
Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas
High School: Sumner Academy of Arts and Science (Kansas City, Kan.)
Education: Hampton University, B.S. in Finance (2006)
Wife: Diorlena | Son: Bertram IV
Coaching Resume
| Seasons | Program | Position |
| 2007-11 | Barstow School | Assistant Coach |
| 2011-12 | Sumner Academy | Assistant Coach |
| 2012-14 | Dodge City Community College | Assistant Coach |
| 2014-15 | Chipola College | Assistant Coach |
| 2015-16 | Butler Community College | Assistant Coach |
| 2016 | St. John’s University | Graduate Assistant |
| 2016-18 | Lincoln University (Mo.) | Assistant Coach |
| 2018-19 | Maryville University | Assistant Coach |
| 2019-22 | University of Nebraska | Director of Player Development |
| 2022-24 | Missouri State University | Assistant Coach |
| 2024-26 | Ball State University | Assistant Coach |
| 2026-present | University of Michigan | Director of Player Development |
Season-by-Season
| Season | Program | Overall | Conf. | Finish | Postseason |
| 2007-08 | Barstow School | 20-4 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2008-09 | Barstow School | 16-4 | 8-2 | t-1st | District 14, Semifinal |
| 2009-10 | Barstow School | 17-4 | 9-0 | 1st | District 14, Runner-up |
| 2010-11 | Barstow School | 17-4 | 8-1 | 2nd | District 14, Semifinal |
| 2011-12 | Sumner Academy | 23-3 | 9-0 | 1st | -- |
| 2012-13 | Dodge City | 14-17 | 6-10 | 5th | Region VI, First Round |
| 2013-14 | Dodge City | 15-16 | 4-10 | 7th | Region VI, First Round |
| 2014-15 | Chipola College | 10-19 | 3-9 | 5th | -- |
| 2015-16 | Butler (Kan.) | 19-14 | 9-10 | 2nd (East) | Region VI, Semifinal |
| 2016-17 | Lincoln (Mo.) | 17-13 | 9-10 | t-9th | MIAA, Quarterfinal |
| 2017-18 | Lincoln (Mo.) | 15-14 | 9-10 | t-8th | MIAA, First Round |
| 2018-19 | Maryville | 9-18 | 4-14 | 12th | -- |
| 2019-20 | Nebraska | 7-25 | 2-18 | 14th | Big Ten, First Round |
| 2020-21 | Nebraska | 7-20 | 3-16 | 14th | Big Ten, First Round |
| 2021-22 | Nebraska | 10-22 | 4-16 | t-13th | Big Ten, First Round |
| 2022-23 | Missouri State | 17-15 | 12-8 | 6th | MVC, Quarterfinal |
| 2023-24 | Missouri State | 17-16 | 8-12 | 9th | MVC, Quarterfinal |
| 2024-25 | Ball State | 14-17 | 7-11 | t-9th | -- |
| 2025-26 | Ball State | 12-19 | 7-11 | t-7th | -- |
| 2026-27 | Michigan | 0-0 | 0-0 | - | - |
| Career | Season: 20th | 270-264 | 121-168 |
Sunday, September 06
Sunday, September 06
Friday, September 04
Thursday, September 03
