Following up on something that I mentioned back on 4/8 (DAILY DIRT). Lamar officially announced today the hiring of Mikhail McLean as an assistant coach. Here’s the release:
Positive news has been surrounding the Lamar University basketball program over the course of the past week and head coach Alvin Brooks added to that with the naming of Mikhail McLean as an assistant coach Tuesday morning.
McLean’s announcement comes less than a week after Brooks released the addition of former Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Year Jordyn Adams to the roster, and that standout point guard Kasen Harrison would be returning to LU for his sophomore season.
“This is a special hire for me because it’s my first as Lamar’s head coach,” said LU head coach Alvin Brooks. “When I went back to Houston and we were trying to re-establish the program there, we were looking for high-character guys with great leadership skills and I thought Mikhail would be a great fit for us then. He is an intelligent, high-energy guy who is a natural leader.
“My primary goal in putting together a staff is finding guys who are servant leaders, guys with really good communication skills – with student-athletes, staff, and others on campus – and Mikhail is the guy. He was the first guy I helped recruit to Houston and he helped us turn that program around, I felt like we needed a guy with that type of character to help turn this program around. Mikhail was my first choice,” added Brooks.
McLean joins Brooks in making the drive up I-10 from the University of Houston where he spent the previous six seasons. During his time in Houston, McLean served as the assistant director of player development. McLean assisted with a program that won the American Athletic Conference title in back-to-back seasons (2019 and 2020) and advanced to the Sweet 16 each of the past two seasons, and the Final Four this past season. He was responsible for the opponent scout against non-conference foes Oregon, Texas and Kentucky, and he worked directly with the Cougars posts players and wings.
McLean also handled numerous responsibilities away from the court as well. He also served as an academic liaison with specific players and oversaw the team managers and graduate assistants.
In addition to his work with the Cougars, McLean also served as an assistant coach with the Bahamas Senior National Team, where he worked alongside head coach Chris DeMarco (Golden State Warriors assistant). Unfortunately, the team did not compete the past summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A former standout student-athlete at the U of H, McLean was a four-year letterwinner who played in 101 games for the Cougars during his career. Named team captain as a senior, McLean was the true definition of a student-athlete. A five-time Dean’s List selection, McLean received his undergraduate and Master’s degree in four years. A 2015 academic all-conference selection, McLean was also a member of the Cougars’ Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
“Mikhail is a great leader and has a natural ability to connect with people,” said Brooks. “One of his biggest assets is player development. He not only helps guys become better on the court, but he is also great at helping young men develop away from the game as well.”
McLean began his coaching career following his graduation, serving as graduate assistant with his alma mater.
