Sunday, July 27, 2008

Michigan Basketball: Meyer joins hoops staff

from MGoBlue.com
http://www.mgoblue.com/basketball-m/article.aspx?id=141810

Jeff Meyer Joins Staff as Administrative Specialist

July 25, 2008

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's basketball coach John Beilein announced the hiring of Jeff Meyer as an administrative specialist for the Wolverine program Friday (July 25). Meyer will replace Tracy Hamner, who is returning to James River High in Midlothian, Va., to teach English and coach the varsity basketball program.

"Jeff and I have been great friends for over a decade," said Beilein. "He brings so much valuable experience to our basketball program. Without question, Jeff is one of the finest assistants in the country, so we are fortunate to be able to add him to our staff. Jeff and I will work closely to continue to rebuild the Michigan basketball program. Any concerns of Jeff's ties to the NCAA issues at Indiana have been addressed by the NCAA and our compliance staff. He has been cleared and the matter is behind him."

"We are confident we are hiring a coach with integrity and someone who has a strong background with the NCAA rules and guidelines," said U-M Senior Women's Administrator and Compliance Director Judy Van Horn. "The NCAA reviewed and issued a statement clearing coach Meyer of any involvement in association with the Indiana University major infraction case. We feel very confident about his hiring and look forward to his presence with our current basketball staff."

Meyer has been a proven winner at every level throughout his career. His squads have registered a 530-339 (.609) overall record and have earned eight NCAA Tournament (one Final Four and one Sweet 16) and four National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearances.

Meyer spent last season as an assistant coach at Indiana University and the two seasons prior to that at the University of Missouri. Before heading to Missouri, Meyer spent three seasons at Butler University where he guided the Bulldogs to Horizon League Championships in both 2002 and 2003, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2003. Butler registered a 69-26 mark during his three seasons with 12 of the program's 13 student-athletes that exhausted their eligibility at Butler going on to earn degrees. Meyer spearheaded the recruiting efforts and played a vital role in the Bulldogs' player-skill development program, game preparation and strategy.

Prior to his time at Butler, Meyer served as associate head coach at Winthrop, helping the Eagles win three straight Big South championships (1999-2001) and make three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He also helped foster an outstanding commitment to academics with eight out of nine student-athletes that matriculated through the program earning a degree.

Meyer also has experience as a head coach. In 16 years at Liberty University, the Flames' all-time winningest coach registered a 259-206 mark and led the the team to the 1994 Big South Tournament championship and a bid to the NCAA Tournament. He was also instrumental in helping Liberty make the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division I. In addition to his outstanding efforts as a head coach, Meyer's program also produced successful individuals in the classroom, earning a 90-percent graduation rate (45 of 50 student-athletes) from 1981 to 1997.

Meyer began his career as an assistant to Lee Rose at Purdue University from 1978-80, where he earned his master's degree. During his time in West Lafayette, Ind., he helped the Boilermakers reach the 1980 NCAA Final Four following a Big Ten regular-season co-championship and earn a 1979 NIT final appearance. Meyer then joined Rose at the University of South Florida during the 1980-81 season, helping the Bulls to an appearance in the NIT.

Meyer, a 1976 graduate of Taylor University, and his wife Karen are the parents of two daughters, Holli Torrie and Sarah, and a son, Josh.

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