CLEVELAND - Coach Sandra Rushing didn't have to look too far for her next assistant at Delta State University, naming Greg Long, a former volunteer assistant on fer staff from 2004-05 and a highly successful Florida high school coach, to the post on Monday. Long replaces Mechan Vanderpool, who left to become the head coach at the University of Montevallo.
"When I began the search, I really had one person in mind and that was Greg Long," Rushing stated. "He's a go-getter with a passion for the game and the ability to motivate anyone. We were quite lucky to get him back to DSU."
Long brings an impressive resume to the position and a distinct knowledge of Delta State University. The Ocala, Fla., native spent the past two seasons as head boy's basketball coach at Trinity Catholic High School in his hometown.
Charged with the task of revitalizing a program, Long quickly turned the Celtics into a winner, going 8-16 in his first year to 22-7 and a district title in his second. While a TCHS, Long guided the program to Florida State "Sweet 16" in 2010 and finished the season ranked in the top 15 in several state media polls. His teams also excelled in the classroom, recording a 3.4 overall GPA to rank fourth in Florida's Class 3A.
Prior to joining Trinity Catholic, Long served three seasons as an assistant at Ocala Forest High School. Once again, helping turnaround a struggling program.
Long graduated from Cum Laude from Delta State University in 2005 with a bachelor's in health, physical education and recreation. While at DSU, Long served as a volunteer assistant for the Lady Statesmen.
He began his collegiate career as a basketball player under head coach Bob Burke at Chowan College, who amassed over 450 collegiate victories and retired as the third winningest coach in the state of North Carolina behind UNC's Dean Smith and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski.
Long played high school basketball for three years at Vanguard HS under legendary Florida high school coach Jim Haley, who compiled 655 wins and three state championships in his career. Long played on his final team to be ranked No. 1 in the state and was also the last team to go deep into the state playoffs - making it to the Florida Elite Eight in 1997 with a 21-11 record.
While at VHS, Long was selected for "Who's Who Among America's High School Athletes." He also graduated with honors.
The Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow inductee has been active in each community he has called home, serving in volunteer capacities with Boy Scouts of America, Ocala AAU Boy's Basketball and Ocala Basketball Association.
Long is married to the former Jill Trimmer of Marietta, Ga. The couple resides in Cleveland.
