Samford University head men’s basketball coach Bucky McMillan announced the addition of Zach Gillion to his staff on Thursday, Aug. 12. Gillion, a highly successful high school and amateur coach from south Florida, replaces Gerald Gillion, who recently was named head coach at Chicago State University.
“We are very excited about the addition of Zach Gillion to our coaching staff,” McMillan said. “I have been fortunate to know Zach on a basketball and personnel level for many years and he is a man of great character, who embodies the values of Samford University. As a coach, Zach possesses a very high basketball IQ and has a tremendous passion for player development. It’s no surprise that many of his past players developed at such a rapid rate under his coaching. His everyday intensity and defensive mindset will have an instant impact on our program.”
Gillion made a name for himself as head coach at Florida high school powerhouse, Northeast High School, from 2017-2020 and as an assistant at West Oaks Academy from 2020-21.
“Zach has strong recruiting ties to high school basketball, travel basketball, and skill trainers across the country,” McMillan added. “His character, coupled with his recruiting ties, coaching ability, and his familiarity with our current players and program make coach Zach Gillion an outstanding hire for Samford.”
Gillion brings 21 years of coaching experience at the amateur and high school level to Birmingham. A three-time Coach of the Year at Northeast High, Gillion led NHS to five district titles as head coach of the boy’s and girl’s programs.
On the AAU circuit, Gillion founded Team Breakdown, where he served as a coach from 2000-2021. During his tenure, Team Breakdown won back-to-back AAU national championships.
The former Orlando Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald Coach of the Year has helped lead more then 120 student-athletes to collegiate programs across the country while also coaching 50 professional players across the NBA and international levels.
Gillion holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in education.
https://samfordsports.com/news/2021/8/12/mens-basketball-mcmillan-adds-zach-gillion-to-staff.aspx
