Nate Pomeday has been promoted to assistant men's basketball coach under Richard Pitino, taking over the spot vacated when Dan McHale left Minnesota for the head coaching position at Eastern Kentucky, sources confirmed Thursday.

Pomeday, hired as the Gophers' director of basketball operations before last season, is part of a three-man assistant staff that includes Ben Johnson and Kimani Young.

The Northwestern graduate's jump in status makes sense: Before Minnesota, Pomeday spent six years as an assistant at Oregon State. With the Beavers, he was involved in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, scouting and working with the guards.

His advancement comes at a critical recruiting time for Minnesota, which still has three scholarships available for its 2015 class. The Gophers signed four players in the fall period — guards Kevin Dorsey, Dupree McBrayer and Jarvis Johnson, along with big man Jonathan Nwankwo, a group that's already projected to be a top-25 class by Rivals.com — but the roster has three openings after transfer Zach Lofton was dismissed, sophomore Daquein McNeil was arrested and later unenrolled and freshman Josh Martin transferred.

The spring signing period began Wednesday, and recruits are allowed to sign national letters of intent through May 20. Minnesota has several targets pinpointed, according to sources, including New Jersey three-star shooting guard Malik Ellison — the son of former Louisville and NBA star Pervis Ellison — who was recruited heavily by McHale.

Although he's had a year break, Pomeday has the reputation of corralling highly touted players. During his six years at Oregon State, the Beavers had five nationally ranked recruiting classes.

Since Pitino has hired from within for the position, he will now have to find a new basketball director. Josh Adel, on staff as assistant to the head coach, held the position before Pomeday.

Amelia Rayno • 612-673-4115