Mike Brown has been named director of player development for Coastal Carolina men’s basketball, announced head coach Justin Gray on Thursday.
A four-year letterman and all-conference player at Western Carolina University, Brown played one season professionally overseas before embarking on his coaching career, which included high school and collegiate stints.
“We are thrilled to have Mike Brown as a part of our program,” Gray said. “He has impacted numerous young men’s lives and basketball careers, instilling confidence and building lifelong relationships that have helped them become better players and men. We are looking forward to him having a significant influence at Coastal Carolina as well.”
Brown spent the previous four seasons as an assistant coach at Lander University, helping the Bearcats to consecutive 22-win seasons and NCAA Division II tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2023. He aided in the development of six All-Peach Belt Conference players.
Prior to Lander, Brown was a graduate assistant at the University of Memphis under coach Penny Hardaway. As a part of the Tigers’ coaching staff, Brown assisted with organizing scout plans and participated in all skill development workout sessions. The Tigers finished the 2020-21 season 20-8 overall and captured the NIT championship.
Brown’s coaching career started as an assistant at Olympic (NC) High School. He helped the Trojans to a 43-13 overall record in two seasons on the bench. He also served as an assistant for Team United of Nike EYBL. Between the two programs, he helped 15 players reach the collegiate level.
Brown concluded his career at Western Carolina (2012-16) as an All-Southern Conference and NABC Second Team All-District 22 selection. As a senior, he led the team in scoring (17.0 ppg.) and assists (3.2 apg.), was second in steals (1.5 spg.), and third in rebounding (5.9 rpg.) Brown became just the third player in school history to post 1,300 points, 600 rebounds, 200 assists, and 100 steals in a career.
Brown played professionally for one year for Siarka Tarnobrzeg, a member of Poland’s top basketball division.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship from Western Carolina in 2016. He received his master’s degree in sport and hospitality management with a concentration in sports commerce from the University of Memphis.
A native of Charlotte, N.C., Brown was a four-year letterman at West Charlotte High School and led the Lions to a state championship in 2011.
