Aug. 23, 2007

Pocatello, ID --- Head men's basketball coach Joe O'Brien has announced that Mike Brown, most recently an assistant coach at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, has been named to the men's basketball staff as an assistant coach. He replaces Rodrick Rhodes, who is expected to be named the Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Massachusetts.

Brown served as an assistant coach last season under Tim Gilbride at Bowdoin, where he helped the Division III Polar Bears to a 15-10 mark, their fourth consecutive winning season, and a berth in the NESCAC Tournament. Brown has quite an extensive basketball background, starting in college, where he played for the Providence Friars, helping them to the 1994 Big East Championship. Prior to turning to coaching, Brown had a solid basketball career overseas for the 10 years, including stints in China, Great Britain and Greece. While playing for the Brighton of the British Basketball League, Brown helped the Bears to a pair of BBL Championships. Prior to coming back to the United States, Brown played for AGE Halkidas in Greece, earning All-League honors in 2004-05.

""We're all very excited about Mike Brown joining our coaching staff. Mike brings a wealth of playing experience at both the college and professional levels," said head coach Joe O'Brien. "Throughout his career Mike has demonstrated outstanding work ethic and leadership abilities. Because of these attributes, as well as his desire to become a better coach every day, I really feel like he is a great fit for our staff and for our student-athletes."

Brown has extensive experience with some of the top coaches in basketball, having worked alongside Rick Barnes, Pete Gillen, Louis Orr and Dave Gavitt, among others. A native of Central New York and a graduate of Cicero-North Syracuse High School, Brown earned his degree from Providence College in 1996 in Accounting.