Former Butler University student-athlete and assistant coach LaVall Jordan, who has spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan, has been named Milwaukee’s men’s basketball coach. Jordan, a native of Albion, Michigan, who is regarded as one of the top assistant coaches in the country, helped the Wolverines to five NCAA Tournament berths, including national runner-up finish in 2013, during his tenure at Michigan.
“I am thrilled to welcome LaVall, his wife, Destinee, and their children to the Milwaukee family,” Milwaukee Director of Athletics Amanda Braun said. “LaVall has impeccable character and integrity and he has been a winner both as a player and as a coach. Widely regarded as an excellent recruiter, LaVall also has a proven track record in player development. This is an exciting day for Milwaukee basketball.”
In six seasons at Michigan, Jordan has worked under head coach John Beilein, who is regarded as one of the brightest and most innovative minds in the game. With Jordan on staff, the Wolverines compiled a 143-70 (.671) record and won at least one NCAA Tournament game four times in six seasons. In 2012-13, Jordan helped the program to a 31-8 overall record and a NCAA Runner-Up finish and one year later, Michigan compiled a 28-9 ledger and reached the NCAA Elite Eight.
A former guard himself at Butler, Jordan’s tutelage helped develop Trey Burke into a 2013 NBA Draft pick and the Consensus National Player of the Year and a Consensus All-American.
“I would like to thank Amanda Braun and Chancellor Mone for giving me the opportunity to serve as the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee,” Jordan said. “I am extremely excited about the potential for this program. There is a proud tradition of success at Milwaukee and our goal is to consistently compete for championships in the Horizon League. I cannot wait to get started.”
Before his tenure at Michigan, Jordan spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa and four seasons, including three as an assistant coach, at his alma mater Butler. He helped the Bulldogs to a 29-7 record in 2006-07 and the team reach the NCAA Sweet 16 that season before falling to eventual national champion, Florida.
Jordan’s coaching pedigree is impressive to say the least. He played under current Butler Director of Athletics Barry Collier and current Ohio State head coach Thad Matta, Todd Lickliter, and at Butler also worked alongside current Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens.
Prior to embarking on his coaching career Jordan starred at Butler from 1998-2001, helping the Bulldogs to three conference tournament titles and a pair of Midwestern Collegiate Conference regular-season crowns. He participated in four consecutive postseason tournaments and with a 79-63 victory over Wake Forest in 2001, helped Butler to its first NCAA tournament victory in 39 years.
A two-time All-MCC performer, Jordan was named the league’s tournament MVP in 2001. He helped Butler to 91 victories in four years and graduated as the winningest player in program history.
A 2001 graduate of Butler, Jordan played professional basketball in Europe and in the National Basketball Developmental League before beginning his coaching career.
http://mkepanthers.com/news/2016/4/7/milwaukee-names-lavall-jordan-mens-basketball-coach.aspx
Photo Courtesy Milwaukee Athletics
