Mike Worley has been elevated to an assistant coach on the Troy men’s basketball staff after serving as the program’s director of basketball operations for the last five seasons, head coach Phil Cunningham announced Monday. Worley joined the Troy staff following a successful coaching stint in the junior college ranks.
“I’m very pleased that things worked out for Coach Worley to make the move from director of operations to an assistant coach,” Cunningham said. “He handled everything we threw at him in his previous role, and I’m confident that he will flourish in his new position as well. Mike was an outstanding student-athlete at Coffeyville Community College before he signed to play at Creighton University, and he brings an infectious energy to the court every day.”
Worley played a vital role in Troy’s run to the NCAA Tournament in 2017 as the Troy posted 22 wins, won the Sun Belt Conference Tournament title and squared off against Duke in March Madness. The Trojans posted the largest turnaround in school history that season capped by four consecutive Sun Belt Tournament victories.
“My wife Sarah and I are thankful for the new role and appreciative of all that Troy University has meant to us over the past five seasons,” Worley said. “Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Athletics Director Jeremy McClain and Coach Phil Cunningham are first class representatives of this institution and its values. Sarah and I look forward to continued growth and development as members of the Trojan family.”
Prior to joining Cunningham’s inaugural staff at Troy in 2013-14, Worley spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Kilgore College. The Rangers improved in all three seasons with Worley on the bench as Kilgore won the 14-team Region XIV regular season title outright in 2012-13 finishing 27-6 overall (15-4 in conference) en route to an NJCAA National Tournament appearance and Sweet 16 finish.
He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith where he helped the Lions to a 33-3 record and the 2006 NJCAA National Championship. Worley transitioned to the professional ranks coaching in the American Basketball Association and the Premier Basketball League before returning to the collegiate level at East Texas.
“We expect him to make an immediate impact in recruiting the junior college ranks since he enjoyed a successful playing career at that level as well as being a part of a national championship coaching staff at Arkansas-Fort Smith,” Cunningham said. “One of the greatest characteristics that Mike brings to our staff is his strong faith and commitment to Sarah and their family. He is an excellent role model for our student-athletes.”
Worley enjoyed a successful playing career as he was named the inaugural NJCAA Male Athlete of the Year after averaging 18.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game at Coffeyville Community College in 1993. Following junior college, Worley played at Creighton before finishing his academic career at Denver.
He and his wife Sarah have three children, Raeghan, Rachel and Drew.
