Mike McClendon of Mahwah has been named an assistant men’s basketball coach at Felician College, Felician head coach David DeFerrari announced today. DeFerrari also released the hiring of Cornell Hunt of Fairfield as the program’s strength and conditioning coach.
McClendon and Hunt join associate head coach Ivan Lewis on DeFerrari’s 2013-14 staff.
McClendon owns more than 20 years of combined basketball playing and coaching experience. His most recent collegiate position was as an assistant at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg from 2008-10. He has also served as an assistant at St. Paul’s Prep of Brooklynville, Md., and at his alma mater, Absegami High of Galloway.
From 2008-13, McClendon was a head coach in the Pure Basketball AAU program, based out of Somerville. He coached and mentored boys from age 12 to 17 with that group.
"Coach McClendon brings to us playing and coaching experience from all levels of basketball," said DeFerrari, entering his fifth year with the Golden Falcons. "Plus, his enthusiasm for basketball and for working with young men will provide a boost of energy. I am very pleased with his addition to our staff, and I expect him to contribute n all aspects of our program."
Following high school, McClendon played two seasons at Wesley College in Dover, Del., from 2001-03. He led the Wolverines in assists both years. He went on to earn a BS in broadcast communications from Caldwell College in 2012. He is a district manager at Lids and Hat World, Inc.
Hunt is the owner and manager of Hunt For Strength, LLC, for which he leads a staff of sports performance trainers. Hunt For Strength provides athletic training services for all ages and sports. Prior to opening his own business in 2011, Hunt spent four years as a master personal trainer at Get Fit in Fairfield.
Hunt writes a monthly training column for the national publication Ironman Magazine. In 2011, he trained "Fat Chef" Ally Vitella of the Food Network, helping her achieve a weight-loss goal of 60 pounds in four months.
"Coach Hunt’s résumé speaks for itself," DeFerrari said. "In a very short time span, he has had a considerable impact in the field of strength and conditioning. I am confident that he will have a vast impact on the conditioning, health, and well-being of our players."
Hunt is a former D3Football.com all-America middle linebacker for Montclair State University, and ranks among MSU’s top five all-time leading tacklers. A two-year team captain for the Red Hawks, he earned a BS in business administration with a concentration in marketing in 2008.
Felician is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The Golden Falcons tip off the 2013-14 campaign with a non-conference road game against the University of Bridgeport on Sat., Nov. 9.
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