Doherty names Associate Head Coach

[PonyPride]

DOHERTY NAMES MIKE GARLAND AS ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
Addition Completes 2006-07 SMU Basketball Staff

DALLAS (SMU) – Mike Garland has been named associate head men’s basketball coach at SMU, head coach Matt Doherty announced on Thursday. Garland comes to the Hilltop after three seasons as the head coach at Cleveland State and seven seasons as an assistant to Tom Izzo at Michigan State.

“I am extremely excited to officially announce the hiring of Mike Garland as Associate Head Coach,” says Doherty. “His background, both as an assistant at Michigan State University and as a head coach at Cleveland State University, will benefit SMU greatly. In addition to be being a terrific coach, Mike is a great person. He will represent Mustang Basketball in a first class manner”

At Cleveland State, Garland’s Vikings went 23-60 while increasing their win total each season. In his second season, the Vikings improved by six wins in Horizon League play which was the fifth-best improvement in league history. When he was at Michigan State, the Spartans went 173-62 (.736) won four Big Ten titles, two Big Ten Tournament crowns, advanced to NCAA Final Four three times, and won the 2000 NCAA championship.

“I am overjoyed to be a part of one of the nation’s most prestigious universities in one of the nation’s finest cities,” stated Garland. “This is a great opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in Matt Doherty.”

Garland’s primary duties at Michigan State focused on scouting reports and game analysis. He was also responsible for helping mentor the Spartan players and monitoring their academic progress. Garland also proved successful through his off-season individual workouts that helped players like Maurice Ager, Alan Anderson, Charlie Bell, Mateen Cleaves, Paul Davis, Andre Hutson, Morris Peterson, Zach Randolph, Jason Richardson and Marcus Taylor develop into NBA draft choices. An accomplished recruiter, the last four recruiting classes that Garland was involved in at MSU were ranked among the top 10 nationally. In the summer of 2002, Garland coached an Athletes In Action team of college all-stars to an undefeated record during a tour of Africa.

Before joining Izzo in East Lansing, Garland compiled a 153-49 (.757) record in nine seasons at his alma mater, Belleville High School, in Michigan. His Belleville teams won six Mega Red conference championships, four District titles, and advanced to the State Tournament quarterfinal round in 1991. Garland had three players named first-team all-State and 10 that went on to play collegiately. He was also named Associated Press State Coach of the Year in 1993-94. Garland spent five seasons as an assistant at Belleville before being named the head coach.

Garland started his coaching career in 1977 with a two-year stint as an assistant basketball coach at Cody High in Detroit, Michigan. Garland then headed to private business for several years before his desire to teach led him back into coaching as the junior varsity coach at Belleville High in 1982.

Garland was a three-year letterman in basketball at Northern Michigan, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in physical education and community recreation. During his sophomore season (1973-74), he befriended a young walk-on, Tom Izzo.

Garland was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in May 1954. Garland, 52, is married to the former Cynthia White. They have been married for 30 years and have three children, daughter, Simone (27), and sons Quentin (29) and Michael Ray (22).

SMU Basketball Coaching Staff

The SMU Coaching Staff of Head Coach Matt Doherty, Associate Head Coach Mike Garland, Assistant Coach Lance Irvin, and Assistant Coach Steve Lutz have a combined 49 years of collegiate coaching. The group has compiled 13 conference crowns and 10 conference tournament championships while earning 22 postseason appearances, including 14 bids to the NCAA Tournament with 10 trips to the Sweet 16, six Elite Eights, four Final Fours and a National Championship. The success also includes 31 players that have gone on to the NBA.

[jtstang]

I like the MSU pedigree, but they need to be leaving that Cleveland State record out of the press releases.

[friarwolf]

I hope he brings that MSU defensive mindset to us.

[PonyPride]

And some Michigan State-caliber recruiting, too.

[Big10Ponyfan]

He's great because he coached in the Big 10

[OC Mustang]

Hey, this is BBI, Big10...

Go back to work and get off the board.

[Buddha]

He's great because he coached in the Big 10

Gee, never saw that coming.

[ALEX LIFESON]

I saw this a few weeks ago, but it is a great hire!

[Big10Ponyfan]

Gee, never saw that coming.

LOL. Seriously, hopefully, there will be that defensive mindset as was mentioned but also great tenacity on the boards. Great rebounding is one of the trademarks of Tom Izzo teams. Of course, Doherty probably knows what he's doing, but every little bit helps.

[Hidden James]

Seems like a great hire for recruiting and for having someone a little older than he is on the bench.

He's about Phil Ford's age, and coached a string a college stars and pros under a legend. I wonder if Coach Doherty somehow is trying undo a few misteps he made in Chapel Hill. Smart.

[goponies1]

Excellent hire