Westmoreland County Campus Clippings: Coaching switch leads to Butler family reunion at West Liberty

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, June 30, 2025 | 8:21 PM

Suddenly, Landon Butler will play for his brother next college basketball season.

A Latrobe family reunion is happening at West Liberty after Butler decided to leave Coker University in South Carolina following a coaching change.

He is transferring to West Liberty, where Bryce Butler is an assistant coach and former star player.

Mike Lamberti, who coached Coker for two years, is leaving to become the leading man at West Liberty, his alma mater.

Landon Butler played in 29 games last season at Coker, averaging 7.8 points in 20.4 minutes. He transferred from Montevallo (Ala.).

Bryce Butler became an assistant for the Hilltoppers in 2024. He was a two-time All-American and Atlantic Region Player of the Year at West Liberty.

He played his final college season at Division I Charleston.

Men’s basketball

Pitt-Johnstown: Shane Phillips has joined longtime coach Bob Rukavina’s staff as an assistant.

Phillips has made a number of coaching stops, including a couple in Westmoreland County.

He was an assistant with the Saint Vincent men from 2022-25 and also was an assistant at Norwin.

The Latrobe resident also has worked as the director of player development and personnel with the Wildcats Select AAU program and Baseline Recruiting.

Football

Waynesburg: Rising sophomore Payton Molter (Jeannette) has transferred from Division I Mercyhurst.

Molter (6-0, 190), a linebacker, did not see playing time last season.

He also played quarterback in high school.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.