Dunlap Joins WMU Staff

KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan men's basketball program has announced the hiring of assistant coach Jeff Dunlap, who joins the Broncos after serving for one season under Larry Farmer at Loyola.

Dunlap replaces Harold Baber, who has returned to graduate school (not coaching) at Oakland University after one season at Western Michigan.

"Jeff's been hired through the years for player development sessions and that fits in well with what our program is all about," head coach Steve Hawkins said. "We strive to recruit good players into the program and work with them to get even better before their career concludes."

A 17-year veteran of the coaching ranks, Dunlap was an assistant at the University of Georgia prior to his second stop in Chicago.

Hawkins and Dunlap first met at the age of 17 while both were working summer camps hosted by legendary former UCLA coach John Wooden. The pair remained in contact throughout the years and Hawkins eventually hired Dunlap at Quincy University prior to the 1990-91 campaign. While at QU, he helped guide the team to three NCAA Division II Tournament appearances from 1991-94 as the recruiting coordinator and an assistant coach.

In addition to stints at Cal State-Fullerton, Georgia and College of the Canyons, Dunlap helped Loyola to a 7-7 record (1998-99) and a fourth-place showing in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference during his first stint with the Ramblers. Prior to Loyola, he was the first assistant at Fullerton Junior College for one year, helping the team to a 25-7 record.

"He (Jeff) has recruiting contacts all over the country, which will be of great benefit to our program," Hawkins added. "His overall experience is vast and I feel fortunate to get him here at WMU."

Dunlap is also the founder and director of the California-based Complete Player Basketball Camp, which he runs with former UCLA teammate and former Chicago Bull Jack Haley. Throughout his career, Dunlap has gained additional coaching experience by participating in several basketball camps including the Superstar Invitational, John Wooden and Pat Riley camps.

Dunlap earned a bachelor's degree in political science from UCLA in 1986 and a master's in education from Azusa Pacific University in 1998. As a student-athlete at UCLA, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Senior Award. Dunlap was a three-year letterman for the Bruins from 1984-86 and was a member of the 1985 NIT Championship team.