Hofstra University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Joe Mihalich announced today that Akbar Waheed has joined the Pride coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Waheed replaces Shane Nichols, who departed for a similar position at Murray State.
“Akbar will be a tremendous addition to an already strong staff here at Hofstra,” commented Mihalich. “Akbar was on my first team at Niagara and then coached with me for 11 seasons before heading to the Atlantic Coast Conference. He is someone who communicates, interacts and collaborates as well as anyone I’ve worked with. He is extremely good on the floor and his contacts in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia areas will be very beneficial to us on the recruiting front. Akbar is a high-character individual who understands deeply the type of program we have and are continuing to build here at Hofstra. We are thrilled to welcome Akbar, Nikki and their three children to the Hofstra community. Go Pride!”
Waheed joins the Hofstra staff after spending the past season as a scout with the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association.
A proven recruiter with extensive experience at the collegiate level, Waheed has nearly 14 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience at Niagara and Boston College.
In his career as an assistant coach, Waheed has been part of four postseason teams, including two squads that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to spending the last season with the Thunder, Waheed worked at Boston College from 2010 to 2014.
Waheed is no stranger to working with Mihalich as he was an assistant coach under Mihalich for 11 seasons before departing for the position with Boston College.
In his time as an assistant coach at Niagara, the Purple Eagles averaged nearly 19 wins a season and earned four postseason tournament berths.
A skilled recruiter and strong developer of talent, Waheed helped recruit and develop a multitude of players that have gone on to the professional ranks including most recently Olivier Hanlan (Utah Jazz) and Reggie Jackson (Oklahoma City Thunder).
Waheed graduated from Niagara in 1999 with a degree in communications. He earned his master’s degree in school counseling from Niagara in 2007.
http://gohofstra.com/news/2015/7/7/MBB_0707152502.aspx
