Jimmy Wooten, a standout prep coach for more than 12 years, has been named an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at Eastern Michigan University, Head Coach Rob Murphy announced today, June 14.
“Jimmy has a great ability to identify and recruit high level talent,” said Murphy. “He has shown the ability to connect with student-athletes as he’s helped several attain Division I scholarships during his successful prep school coaching career. His knowledge of the game and plethora of relationships throughout the country will help us immensely moving forward.”
“I am extremely excited and grateful to be joining Coach Murphy’s staff here at Eastern Michigan University,” Wooten added. “Coach Murphy’s infectious personalty and his love for developing people is evident on and off the court. I am blessed to be included in his vision for the success of the team moving forward.”
Wooten has compiled more than 12 years of coaching experience at the prep school level in Georgia, Massachusetts, and New York. Over that time, he has worked with more than 100 student-athletes that went on to play at the Division 1 level.
A native of Queens, N.Y., Wooten arrives in Ypsilanti following a yearlong coaching position at Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield, Mass. At the Academy, Wooten worked as the head coach for the men’s prep and varsity team where he was responsible for recruiting, coordinating, mentoring, and preparing boys for collegiate basketball.
Before coaching at RCA, Wooten worked as a student assistant for the Arkansas State University men’s basketball program while completing his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Wooten was with the school from 2014-16, until he graduated and relocated to Massachusetts.
Prior to his student assistant experience, Wooten spent three years as the director of operations and head prep basketball coach at Beacon Prep in Douglasville, Ga. There, he was responsible for founding and organizing the Beacon Prep athletic program, as well as excelling on the court as a coach.
Wooten started his professional coaching career in 1999 in Troy, N.Y. at the Redemption Christian Academy as the junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach. He also worked at the academy’s New York location from 2010-11 as the athletic director and head basketball coach.
From 2007-11, Wooten also worked in the Information Technology industry with his career focused on desktop support and web development.
http://www.emueagles.com/news/2017/6/6/jimmy-wooten-named-emu-mens-basketball-assistant-coach.aspx
