Former Tulane coach Ed Conroy officially joined Richard Pitino's staff as an assistant, the Gophers announced Thursday morning.

Conroy, 49, brings a veteran presence having spent six seasons as the Green Wave coach before being dismissed in March after compling an overall 92-103 record. The Davenport, Iowa native was head coach at this alma mater The Citadel from 2006-10, which included a 14-win turnaround from 6-24 in 2007-08 to 20-13 in 2008-09.

His stints at six different programs as an assistant includes North Carolina State, Tulsa, Tennessee and Coastal Carolina. Conroy replaces Nate Pomeday, who is now an associate commissioner in charge of men's basketball for the American Athletic Conference.

"I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to join Coach Pitino's staff, as I am excited to work with him but also because I am excited about the future of Minnesota basketball," Conroy said in a statement. "Being a Midwesterner and growing up a Big Ten fan, I am well aware of the quality and depth of this great league. I also know how passionate Gopher fans are and how much the program means to the community and the entire state. My family and I look forward to being a part of it all."