We’ve been talking about this one for a while. Here’s the official announcement:
University of Hawai`i at Hilo Athletic Director Dexter Irvin today announced the selection of Central Washington University Associate Head Coach GE Coleman as the new Vulcan men’s basketball coach. Coleman’s official start date is July 1.
"I would like to thank Dexter Irvin and the search committee for giving me this incredible opportunity," Coleman said. "I am looking forward to joining the UH Hilo family and the Hilo community. With my experience recruiting and coaching successful teams in the west region, I believe we can get the Vulcan basketball program to where we all envision it to be. We will play an exciting brand of full court pressure basketball and have a program that our institution and community can be proud of."
At Central Washington, Coleman ran one of the NCAA Division II’s top offenses. In five of the past six seasons, the Wildcats were among the top 10 scoring teams and appeared in four straight Regionals (2008-11). The 2010-11 squad captured the Regions’ top-ranking and finished fifth in the final NABC Ranking.
"I am very happy and excited to have such a quality coach and person as our new men’s basketball coach," Irvin said. "GE brings strong recruiting and successful coaching experience to our department.
"Having been part of very successful programs, GE understands what it takes to build a great men’s basketball program," Irvin added. "I am confident he will work tirelessly to enhance the status of men’s basketball, athletics, and the entire intercollegiate athletics program at the University."
A 2005 graduate of CWU, Coleman’s collegiate coaching career began as an assistant at NCAA Division I Eastern Washington University (2005-07). He helped develop six-year NBA veteran Rodney Stuckey of the Detroit Pistons, the 15th overall pick of the 2007 draft.
On the CWU staff since 2007, Coleman was the lead recruiter of 17 all-conference selections and three newcomers of the year as the Wildcats were 111-54 (.673) during that span. In the classroom, 10 players earned academic all-conference recognition. His responsibilities also included academic advising, student/player and alumni development, operations management and coordinating CWU’s basketball camps.
Off the court, Coleman’s teams were active in serving lunches in elementary schools and reading to students as well as CWU’s Holiday Gift Project. He also helped the Kittitas School District Parent Group Bingo Night and the F.I.S.H. Food Bank.
"Our team, our community and our institution will derive tremendous benefits from having GE as our coach," Irvin said. "He has great background in running camps and community interaction.
"I want to thank our committee for the outstanding job they did of providing quality finalists and evaluations of all the potential candidates."
Coleman’s selection caps a two-month search following the resignation of former Coach Jeff Law, who took over as head basketball coach at Western New Mexico University.
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