On Monday, Lindenwood women's basketball head coach Phil Sayers announced the addition of two coaches to his staff. John Leonzo will be the Associate Head Coach, while Max Olsan joins as an assistant coach.

Leonzo will oversee the squad's offense and comes to Lindenwood after spending the last five seasons on the staff at Wright State University, including the last four as Associate Head Coach. During his time in Dayton, Leonzo transformed Wright State into one of the nation's most prolific long-distance shooting teams, as the Raiders ranked second nationally in 3-point makes per game (10.1) and 22nd in 3-point percentage (.364) during the 2022-23 season. Wright State netted a school record 323 threes in the campaign while also shattering a single-game school record with 18 3-pointers versus Cleveland State.

"Coach Leonzo is one of the premier basketball minds that I have ever met," said Sayers.  "His attention to detail and basketball IQ while teaching the game is second to none. Coach Leonzo has the ability to connect with young people while teaching players to read the game and make plays accordingly. Beyond basketball, John's character and leadership will benefit our entire staff and program. I am thrilled that John and his family are making the move to Saint Charles."

Prior to his time with the Raiders, Leonzo spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Cedarville University. He was involved in all facets of the Yellow Jacket program, including recruiting, player development, and scouting. 

Before joining Cedarville, Leonzo was the basketball coordinator at Spooky Nook Sports - the largest indoor sports complex in the country. He conducted player development workouts for athletes ranging from top-area high school athletes to professionals. He is also the creator of John Leonzo Basketball, in which he ran his own camp clinics and workouts. 

To add, Leonzo has coached AAU teams and worked camps for the University of Virginia and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Leonzo is a Harrisburg, Pa. native and a Cedarville graduate.

Olsan spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the women's basketball program at Pittsburg State. During his time with the Gorillas, Pitt State won 51 games, including a 33-4 overall, 18-1 MIAA record in 2024-25 and claimed the MIAA Regular Season, MIAA Tournament and Central Region titles on their way to a NCAA Division II Final Four finish. Olsan helped mentor one All-American, two All-Region selections and four All-MIAA performers.

"The minute Max walks in the room you can just feel his energy," exclaimed Sayers. "When I first met Max before playing against his team a few years ago, I added him to my list of possible hires for when I became a head coach. That is the vibe you get from the moment you meet him. He is a diligent worker who has proven himself as a skill developer. His passion to teach the game and connect with our players won me over. He is a great piece to our staff puzzle." 

Max came to Pitt State after serving as an assistant basketball coach at Boone High School.

A sought-out trainer, he's worked with NBA,  WNBA players, the Des Moines-based AAU Iowa United and the Overtime Training Facility in Ames, Iowa. He's also coached for All Iowa Attack youth league and helped lead numerous basketball camps, including several for NBA and WNBA players.

At Buena Vista University, he competed in basketball while earning dual degrees in sports management and digital media. He went on to earn a master's in sports journalism from Northwestern University.

A graduate of Ballard High School in Huxley, Iowa, where he was a team captain his senior year. Helped lead Ballard to its first basketball state championship appearance in 15 years.