June 16, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
The Samford women's basketball program has hired Michael Scruggs as an assistant coach, head coach Mike Morris announced on Thursday.
"We are very excited to add Michael Scruggs to our staff," Morris said. "Michael has a great mind for the game, tremendous work ethic and a true passion for the student -athletes. He also brings experience from two very successful programs as a GA at UTC and a practice player for the Lady Vols."
In addition to his coaching duties, Scruggs will handle all aspects of the team's road trips, including lodging and meals. He will also be involved in scouting opponents and recruiting.
Scruggs comes to Samford after spending the last two seasons as a graduate assistant on the staff at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. During his time at Chattanooga, the Lady Mocs won the 2010 Southern Conference title and earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Scruggs worked mostly with the guards at Chattanooga. He also served as the academic liaison for the team, and he assisted the video coordinator. Scruggs assisted with the Lady Mocs' summer camps as well.
In addition to his experience at Chattanooga, Scruggs has worked on the coaching staffs of a couple of AAU teams. He was the head coach of the 12 and 14-year old teams for Tennessee Team Hustle from 2007 to 2009, and he was an assistant coach with the 15 and 16 year old teams of the Dayton Lady Hoopsters from 2004 to 2006.
Scruggs served as an assistant coach in the Maryville Middle School Fall League in 2007. He also worked as an instructor at the Performance Training Basketball Camps (2005-09) and he was a camp counselor at the University of Tennessee's men's and women's basketball camps (2006-09).
Scruggs played for the Tri-City Racers of Johnson City, Tenn., a member of the American Basketball Association, in 2008-09.
Scruggs, originally from Knoxville, Tenn., is a 2008 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in sports management and a minor in business. While at UT, Scruggs served as a practice player, playing against the Tennessee women's team. He earned his Master's Degree in special education from UT Chattanooga in 2011.
