Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston, along with head men’s basketball coach Brian Good, have announced the promotion of Marcus Kirkland to Associate Head Coach of the men’s basketball team. Kirkland is currently in the middle of his fifth season on the Wingate basketball staff.
“This is a very well-deserved promotion for Marcus,” Good says. “He is an integral part of our program in every facet. He has a passion for Wingate University and making our team the best it can be.”
This is Kirkland’s fifth season at Wingate and third year as the number one assistant coach on the staff. In each of his first two seasons at Wingate, the Bulldogs won the SAC Tournament title. The ‘Dogs earned NCAA Tournament bids each of his first two years, advancing to the NCAA regional semifinals in back-to-back seasons.
Kirkland has specialized in working with the Bulldog post players. Wingate led the league in blocked shots during Kirkland’s first season, thanks to having three players ranked in the top five in the league. The Bulldogs once again sit atop the league in blocked shots this season, led by the league leader in blocked shots Keith Griffin.
Kirkland helped Odell Turner earn All-SAC honors during the 2012-13 season. Turner finished his career as the league’s all-time leader in career rebounds. Center Deion Turman earned all-conference honors in the 2013-14 season. In the summer of 2014, Turman and Jeff Parker signed contracts to play basketball professionally in Europe.
Kirkland brings a wealth of experience to his position. In addition to college and AAU coaching stops, Kirkland has trained post players from the NBA to high school.
Kirkland spent seven years as the head coach for the Hoop Nation AAU team. He was a volunteer assistant coach for one year at Livingstone College. Kirkland served two years as an assistant coach at Reading College.
A Hampton University graduate, Kirkland played professionally for five years in Italy. Kirkland has extensive camp coaching background, including seven years at NBA and University of Connecticut standout Donyell Marshall’s camp.
http://wingatebulldogs.com/news/2016/2/2/MBB_0202164452.aspx
Photo Courtesy Wingate Athletics
