Leon Douglas, the former two-time All-American at Alabama has been named head men’s basketball coach at Miles College, it was announced Thursday.
"After an extensive and thorough search, we are proud to welcome coach Douglas to the Golden Bears family," said athletic director, Phillip Wallace, Jr. "Coach Douglas has proven himself at the highest level of basketball as a player and a coach."
The Leighton, Ala., native earned a bachelor of science degree in social work from the University of Alabama in 1976; and during his Crimson Tide basketball career he was a four-time All-SEC selection, the first Alabama player to achieve this distinction since Jerry Harper earned it in 1953-1956. During Douglas’ impressive collegiate career he was a first-team All-American selection by the United States Basketball Writers Association in 1975 and 1976, and SEC Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976. The 6’10" center averaged 17.2 points and 11.5 rebounds in 111 college games.
"I feel very good about the opportunity to come to Miles College and joining the Golden Bears family," said Douglas. "I am looking forward to the challenge and also looking forward to being in the talent rich Birmingham area where we can keep the talent at home rather than going elsewhere."
Prior to coming to Miles College Douglas led the Tuskegee University basketball program from 2006-2014. Last season he led the Golden Tigers to unprecedented success as his team were champions of the south region and advanced to the elite eight, the furthest an SIAC school has ever gone in the NCAA Division II basketball tournament.
"We are going to bring an exciting brand of basketball to Miles College," said Douglas. "Our teams are going to be well conditioned, defensive orientated, and run an up tempo old school style of basketball."
In 2010, the Tuskegee Golden Tigers, under Douglas’ tutelage, won the SIAC Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA playoffs. They would finished the season with a 20-11 record.
Prior to joining Tuskegee, Douglas spent the 2004-2006 seasons coaching at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, where he led the Tigers to the 2005-2006 SIAC Tournament Championship, advancing to the NCAA DII basketball tournament.
"I have always been part of the community even when I was at Tuskegee," said Douglas. "I have always been able to come in and engage with the area high school coaches. Now instead of driving two and a half hours all I have to drive is ten minutes. Its great to be back in this community."
Douglas was also a member of the Gold Medal 1976 United States Pan American Team that played in Mexico City, Mexico. A player of distinction, Douglas was Alabama’s first, first round NBA draft pick, selected fourth overall by the Detroit Pistons in 1976. Douglas played four years with the Pistons and then joined the Kansas City Kings from 1980 to 1983. Douglas’ stellar career led him to being inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
Stay with HoopDirt for the latest college basketball coaching news and rumors.
