Navarro College began its nationwide search for a new men’s head basketball coach after Michael Landers relinquished the position Monday to focus his attention toward his Athletic Director responsibilities. Landers was named Athletic Director in October 2018, but continued to serve additionally as the head basketball coach throughout the season.
“You have no idea how excited I am about this next chapter, mainly because of the people in our department that I have the opportunity to work alongside,” Landers told athletic staff members Monday. “Roark (Montgomery) helped to build and shape this department for 30 years and I will do my best each day to help not only maintain, but work tirelessly to continue building on the successes, reputation and expectations for all Bulldog sports. We are in a very exciting time for our department with Dr. Fegan as District President at Navarro and we have the best possible individuals leading each of our athletic programs.”
Over his six years with Navarro College Landers served as Head Basketball Coach, Kinesiology Department Chair, Interim Athletic Director and Athletic Director. His 2018-19 basketball team (25-7) reached the Region XIV Tournament finals after winning the East Zone and the tournament’s No. 1 seed, thanks to its conference-best record. His Bulldogs, featuring five likely NCAA Division I signees, were ranked No. 24 in the NJCAA’s final regular-season poll.
The Bulldogs qualified for the Region XIV Tournament in each of his previous five seasons here. Landers had secured his 100th men’s coaching victory at Navarro with a 70-65 tournament quarterfinal win over Kilgore on March 7.
Landers has more than 24 years in collegiate sports and 10 years in athletic administration. He began his coaching career at East Texas Baptist University (1994-2000). He coached at Trinity Valley Community College from 2000-2009 and then went to Baton Rouge Community College (2009-2010) as Director of Athletics and Head Basketball Coach. He then moved back to Trinity Valley Community College as Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Head Basketball Coach (2010-2012).
With a career coaching record of 533-143 (.788), Landers has received the WBCA JC/CC National Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2010 and was the NCAA Final Four Featured Speaker in 2004 and 2010. He currently is a member of NJCAA Basketball Coaches Association and NTYCAA – National Alliance of Two-Year Collegiate Athletic Administrators.
The basketball coaching vacancy was posted Tuesday on Navarro College’s human resources webpage.
