Winthrop head men’s basketball coach Pat Kelsey announced the hiring of Marty McGillan as assistant coach, Thursday afternoon.

McGillan returns for his second stint on the Eagle staff after spending last season at Kennesaw State, replacing Tony Hanson.

“Coach Kelsey’s phone call came out of nowhere,” said McGillan, who has over 20 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level. “Having the chance to return to such a tradition rich program is like hitting the lottery! He (Kelsey) has a vision for Winthrop Basketball and is demanding of that vision. You cannot help but be infected by his energy and enthusiasm. I wake up excited to face each day knowing I have the good fortune to work at an institution that has a comprehensive commitment to winning. It is that commitment to winning that I am most passionate about being a part of.”

Over the course of his 23 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level, McGillan has been an assistant coach with East Carolina, Coastal Carolina, The Citadel, College of Charleston, UNC Wilmington and Wright State. He’s been a part of six NCAA Tournament appearances as he went once with East Carolina and Wright State and twice at UNC Wilmington and Winthrop.

“Marty is someone that I have known for most of my coaching career,” said Kelsey. “I have always held him in the highest regard as a coach and a person. He is very respected in the coaching fraternity and is well liked by high school and AAU coaches in the region. We are extremely lucky to have him here at Winthrop.”

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