Sept. 23, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University head men's basketball coach Jimmy Tillette has announced the hiring of former Samford player Lee Burgess as an assistant coach for this season.

Burgess will handle travel plans, film exchange and scheduling for the Bulldogs. He played three seasons for Tillette and one season for former head coach John Brady and was a member of Samford's first ever NCAA Tournament team in 1999-2000.

Since graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, Burgess spent the 2001-02 season as an assistant coach under Tony Duckworth at Huntingdon College. In 2002-03, he moved to Berry College where he served as recruiting coordinator for Jeff Haarlow.

"It is great not only to have someone with college coaching experience but Lee is familiar with our system after having played here. He is a hard worker and is someone of outstanding character," said Tillette.

Burgess played in 28 games during his playing career at Samford. He scored a career-high six points against Troy State on January 31, 1998 and made 30 percent of his three-points shots as a Bulldog.