CLEVELAND, April 21 (UPI) -- Mike Garland has been named the successor to Rollie Massimino as the men's basketball coach at Cleveland State.
Garland spent the past seven years as an assistant under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, reportedly beat out former Clemson Coach Larry Shyatt, and becomes the seventh coach in Cleveland State history.
"I am extremely excited to have Mike Garland as our new head men's basketball coach," said Athletic Director Lee Reed. "His coaching skills, work ethic, and high level of success were well documented when I began my search, but it was his passion for teaching, his exceptional relationship-building skills, and his moral fiber that convinced me that he would be the perfect person to lead the CSU basketball program to the championship level that we all desire. Mike Garland is what Cleveland State University is all about: hard-working, resourceful, passionate, and committed to making Cleveland and Cleveland State a better place."
In his tenure with the Spartans, Garland helped coach MSU to six NCAA Tournaments, four Big Ten Championships, two Big Ten Tournament Championships, three Final Fours, and one National Championship. The Spartans started their run to the 2000 NCAA title with a pair of victories over the Vikings in Cleveland.
Included in his duties at MSU were scouting and game analysis, off-campus recruiting, and academics.
In addition, Garland was responsible for Michigan State's self-scouting and individual improvement. His instruction helped six Spartans to be selected in the last three NBA Drafts: Mateen Cleaves, Andre Hutson, Morris Peterson, Zach Randolph, Jason Richardson, and Marcus Taylor.
"I'm very excited because now I get to watch Mike Garland fulfill his dreams of being a Division I head coach," said Izzo. "He has the opportunity to build the Cleveland State program into one that will have the respect it deserves to have. He'll do a great job if he does any type of job like he's done here. Mike will bring great passion and toughness to the job. This is a great opportunity for Mike. I'm really happy for him, but I'm sad to see him go."
"There is a lot of work to be done," said Garland, 48. "I like to think hard work and Mike Garland go together. For sure, right away we've got to get some kids signed. I want kids to come in, give us an opportunity, take a chance on us. We're going to get you where you want to go."
According to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Garland wasted little time in bringing in his first assistant in Rick Albro, a 13-year head coach at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Garland inherits a program that was 8-22 last season under the now-retired Massimino.
