Head Coach Shaka Smart did not have to look far to fill his openassistant coaching position during the 2013 offseason.
Smart announced that Mike Morrell, the Director of BasketballOperations at VCU the past two seasons, was elevated to assistantcoach. He will assume the position left vacant after Will Wade wasnamed the head coach at UT-Chattanooga earlier this month.
"Mike has been a valuable member of our staff for the past twoyears," Smart said. "We're excited about him assuming this newrole."
Over the past two years, Morrell handled the Rams' day-to-dayoperations, overseeing team travel, scheduling, practice schedulesand more. During his two seasons with the Black & Gold, VCU hasposted a 56-16 mark, including back-to-back trips to the NCAATournament Round of 32.
"I couldn't be more excited for the chance to stay a part ofthis program and continue to help develop our student-athletes hereat VCU," Morrell said. "I appreciate the opportunity that CoachSmart has given me and look forward to helping this program reacheven greater heights."
Prior to his arrival at VCU, Morrell spent the 2010-11 season asan assistant coach at Charleston Southern, where he served as theprogram's academic and scouting coordinator, and handled therecruiting duties in the southern part of the country.
Morrell and Smart have a history together, working side-by-sideduring the 2007-08 campaign at Clemson on Oliver Purnell's staff.The Elizabethton, Tenn. native served as the Tigers' Director ofBasketball Operations from 2008-10. He was a part of threeconsecutive NCAA Tournament appearances at Clemson. He also spenttwo years as an assistant at King College in Bristol, Tenn.
Morrell was a two-sport standout at Milligan College innortheast Tennessee. He still ranks among the top-10 in schoolhistory for total points, tallying over 1,400 during his four-yearcareer.
He graduated with a bachelor's degree in History from Milliganin 2005.
