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| Greg Mitchell celebrates with
his Laingsburg High School boys' basketball team. Facebook photo |
Hope has turned to another alumnus to fill its open men's basketball coaching position, hiring Greg Mitchell, who played under Glenn Van Wieren and is the longtime boys' basketball coach at Laingsburg (Mich.) High School.
He replaces Matt Neil, who left the program unexpectedly six weeks ago, after compiling an 88-26 record over four seasons.
Mitchell, the state's Class C coach of the year in 2013, led Laingsburg to the Class C state title game. He has won more than 350 games at the school after graduating from Hope in 1989.
Mitchell led the Flying Dutchmen in 3-point shooting as a senior, hitting 41 percent of his shots from beyond the arc en route to averaging 10.3 points per game for a Hope team that went 19-5. He remains the career record-holder for 3-point shooting at 46 percent.
Hope co-athletic director Tim Schoonveld said he is excited to have Mitchell on board as head coach.
| Coach Profile | Greg Mitchell, Hope College |
| Alma mater | Hope, 1989 (Played four years) |
| Experience | Head coach for 25 years at Lainsburg (Mich.) High School; 362-201 career record |
| Replaces | Matt Neil (88-26 in four years) |
“He’s a man of integrity, a great family man and an amazing coach,” Schoonveld said. “I think people are going to be really excited to have him around. He’s been associated with the Hope family throughout the years.
“He’s highly respected in the state of Michigan by basketball coaches. I would say he’s even more respected by the Hope basketball community. We feel blessed to have Greg and Dina and their family join the Hope community.”
Hope was 20-8 this past season, falling at home in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Penn State-Behrend.
“There is no greater place in my opinion than Hope College,” said Mitchell. “It’s blessing for me to be, No. 1, considered as a candidate, then, No. 2, hired. My family is grateful for the opportunity. I’m grateful for it.