Head Coach Greg Gary announced the hiring of graduate manager Ben Gilliland, who joins the staff after a stint with the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Gilliland, a native of Beloit, Wisc. comes to Mercer following two seasons as a student manger with the Golden Gophers’ men’s basketball program. At Minnesota, Gilliland was responsible for creating video edits and recording statistics and assisting in scouting and recruiting efforts. He was instrumental in aiding the staff in preparing scouting reports on upcoming opponents and coordinating databases for a variety of items, including recruiting. Gilliland handled the Gophers’ recruiting graphics and was responsible for preparing and maintaining facilities and equipment related to the Minnesota men’s basketball team.
The Golden Gophers achieved a 37-30 record in Gilliland’s two seasons and earned an NCAA Tournament berth in 2019. The 10th-seeded Gophers knocked off Louisville to advance to the Round of 32 where they bowed out to Michigan State.
Prior to Minnesota, Gilliland was an assistant basketball coach at his alma mater, Beloit Turner High School, for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns. He successfully implemented offensive and defensive principles and was in charge of the development of the team’s forwards. Additionally, he served as the primary contact for film exchange and summer camps.
The Beloit native spent the 2015-16 season as a student assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. While with the Warhawks, he assisted the coaching staff in developing recruiting reports and conducting visits. In addition, he directed player workouts, managed film exchange and marketed the Warhawks’ various summer camps.
Gilliland’s camp experience has taken him to both the collegiate and professional ranks. In addition to working camps for nine NCAA Division I basketball team, he also worked with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
After transferring from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Gilliland received his Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from the University of Minnesota in May of 2020.
Gilliland joins Mercer Basketball Staff
