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 Mike Craft has been promoted to associate head coach. |
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July 6, 2004
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina head men's basketball coach Steve Shurina announced today that Mike Craft has been promoted to associate head coach. Craft, a native of Hickory, N.C., came to Western when Shurina joined the program in 2000 and the two begin their fifth season with the Catamounts.
"Mike has been the rock in this program over the past four years," Shurina said. "He has done an excellent job in every facet, especially this past year with him being the recruiting coordinator. Also, we should have one of the best front courts in the league this coming year and the development of our post players can be directly attributed to Mike. He has been tremendously loyal to the University and the program and it will not be long before Mike is a head coach himself."
Prior to this past year, Craft was named Shurina's top assistant and took on added responsibilities, serving as the recruiting coordinator and coaching the post players. Under Craft's instruction, David Berghoefer became one of the top centers in the Southern Conference. After averaging just 2.7 rebounds and 3.5 points as a freshman, Berghoefer finished his sophomore year this past season leading the team and ranking fourth in the SoCon in rebounds (7.6 avg.). He additionally ranked second on the team and 18th in the league in scoring (12.4 avg.), while ranking 11th in the SoCon in field goal percentage (.522). Also, Western Carolina posted a 10-2 record with power forward Lunzaya Nlandu in the starting lineup, including an upset win at Arkansas, before Nlandu missed the second half of the season with an injury.
Craft came to Western in 2000, starting as the third assistant on the staff. Over the past four years, Craft has handled everything from film exchange, to team academics, to community service and camps to name a few. According to Shurina, "Mike has worn every hat an assistant coach can wear and done them all with excellence making his promotion an easy decision for me as well as well deserved for him."
In addition to his role on the Catamount basketball staff, Craft serves on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Assistant Coaches Committee.
Craft was a four-year letterman at Wingate and graduated from the University in 1990. Upon graduation, Craft immediately became involved in coaching at the collegiate level.
He obtained his first coaching position as a graduate assistant at Appalachian State in 1990. He served in that capacity for two seasons before being promoted to restricted earnings coach in 1992. As restricted earnings coach his responsibilities included scouting, film exchange, travel and overseeing the ASU Mountaineer Basketball Camp. During his time in Boone, Craft worked with Billy Ross, who led the SoCon in scoring in 1992-93, and Junior Braswell, who is playing professionally in Spain. In all, Craft worked on the basketball staff at Appalachian State for four years (1990-94) before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach for six seasons from 1994-2000.
Craft helped Wingate record its best season in school history during 1999-2000. Wingate, who led the nation in team scoring defense, finished the 1999-2000 season ranked seventh nationally in Division II, posting a 26-4 overall record, claiming the South Atlantic Conference tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. In his last two seasons at Wingate, the team compiled a record of 49-10, reeled off a school-record 27-straight home wins, made two NCAA Tournament appearances and won a pair of regular-season conference titles, compiling a 27-1 home record over the span. Craft also helped bring to Wingate the likes of Lorinza Harrington, who now plays for the Denver Nuggets, and Paul Talbot, a Division II All-American.
Craft played his high school ball for his father, the late David W. Craft, who coached basketball at Hickory High for 13 years. During his high school career, Craft was a three-sport letterman and set the North Carolina state high school single-season free throw record, shooting 91 percent.
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