Mississippi University for Women Director of Athletics Jennifer Claybrook has announced Dean Burrows as the University’s new head men’s basketball coach. Burrows comes to the Owls after serving as the head coach at Wesley College for the past six seasons and three more as an assistant in the program.
“Dean Burrows brings to The W everything you would hope for in a head coach,” Claybrook explained. “He is the perfect person to lead us into the NCAA Division III era at The W: he is a strong proponent of academics first-and-foremost; he stresses having his team involved in campus and community activities to give back, and; he is a proven winner on the court. We are so blessed to have Dean and his family become a part of The W.”
Burrows helped Wesley to three NCAA Division III post-season tournament bids – one as the head coach (2019-20) and twice as an assistant (2012-13, 2013-14) – and had led the Wolverines to five-consecutive conference post-season tournaments from 2016-20 (there was no tournament in 2020-21 due to COVID-19). In 2019-20, Burrows’ team won the Atlantic East Conference regular season (co-champion) and AEC tournament titles, posting an 18-10 record.
Burrows’ players have seen the fruits of their labor result in individual accolades, as well. In the five full seasons played, Burrows-coached teams have produced seven all-conference awards, a conference Rookie of the Year, two Players of the Year and 13 Academic All-Conference citations. Burrows, and his assistants, were named as the AEC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2019-20.
The timing could not have been more opportune for The W, as Wesley College announced last February that it was discontinuing intercollegiate athletics after the 2021-22 school year. The Wesley will become a part of the Delaware State University system.
“We are beyond humbled & blessed to have this opportunity to serve as the caretakers of the men’s basketball program here at The W,” Burrows said. “We want to thank President Miller, Mrs. Claybrook, & the Search Committee for their belief in our ability to build on & move forward, what Coach Merkel, DeJuan Clark (2019), Tre Pinkston (2020), Carlos Wilkerson (2020), Keith Harris (2020), Tavonta Jones (2020), Jonte Moultrie (2020), and Austin Taylor (2021) have worked to establish over the last three-plus years. Our current group, as well as those who will wear the jersey in the future, will clearly understand that we play for those who’ve come before us as this is something we hold in high regard.”
“We are a program where you begin to enjoy the successes of those around you more than your own,” Burrows continued. “We are intentional about everything; insistent on getting things right no matter how small; and obsess over detail as ‘Everything Matters’ to us. Those who will represent us, will fully comprehend that it is a privilege, and certainly nobody’s right, including myself, to represent this University and this program, both on and off the court. Our goal is to produce better husbands, fathers, employers, employees and men who are the example that our world needs, while understanding that life will forever be a ‘team game’. Our guys will come in as teammates and leave as brothers, while those families entrusting us with their sons, will receive back fine young men who are prepared for life.”
Prior to his collegiate coaching career, Burrows spent 11 years as a high school coach. His first prep coaching job was at his alma mater, Salesianum School (Wilmington, Del.), where he served as an assistant for three years. He then spent five years as an assistant coach at Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers, Fla., before returning to his native Delaware to take over the program at St. Thomas More Academy in Magnolia, Del.
He is also a noted clinician, annually working basketball camps along the east coast. Additionally, he is a published author for basketball publications. Burrows is an active member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
Burrows and wife Stefanie have four children: Isabella, Jaelynn, Trey and Avery. The Burrows’ plan to reside in Columbus.
Burrows replaces Brian Merkel, who stepped down over the summer to become the Development Officer in the Office of Development and Alumni for The W.
“From the moment we set foot on campus, we felt its first-class presence,” Burrows summarized. “That, combined with how hospitable everyone we had the privilege to meet were, more than excites us.”
