Macomb County Mustangs
09-28-2005, 07:21 AM
Mustangs ink former Piston as new coach
PUBLISHED: September 28, 2005
By Fred Costello
Macomb Daily Sports Writer
The Macomb County Mustangs took what could be a major step forward Tuesday, when they announced the hiring of former Detroit Piston Terry Mills to coach the team this season.
Mustangs' owner Bill Bullock was excited to have added an NBA veteran to his staff.
"Terry is someone I idolized while he was playing," Bullock explained. "He has a great personality and he's very approachable. He's a legitimate guy who played 11 NBA seasons."
The team also announced the hiring of assistant coach Al Littlejohn -- who coached Mills as an 11-year-old AAU player -- and the re-signing of assistant Willie Betts.
Mills, who spent time as a consultant for the Mustangs last year, began his NBA career with the New Jersey Nets in 1990 after his college career at Michigan. The Detroit native played for the Pistons from 1992-1997 and the 1999-2000 season.
Bullock is hoping that a high-profile coach and the subsequent wave of new talent will attract fans to the Mustangs' new home at old St. Clement High School and help the team improve on last year's 4-16 record in the International Basketball League.
"I'm hoping this will be something to show fans that we're willing to go out on a limb and bring a guy in here who can turn this thing around," Bullock said. "Hopefully the fans who came to the opener last season will give us a second chance."
Mills said he realizes the challenge the Mustangs will face as they revamp their lineup, but he is completely confident in his abilities as a leader despite never coaching before.
"I know I can get the job done,"
Mills said. "My goal is definitely to win it all. We've hired some excellent assistants and we're going to get started right away evaluating talent."
The hiring of Littlejohn, who spent the 2005 season as an assistant with the undefeated Battle Creek Knights, was particularly appealing to Mills.
"Al is a legend in this area," Mills said. "He was a close friend of mine throughout my career and he was someone who I called every other day. I have great respect for him. He knows everybody and all the upcoming players."
Bullock considered Mills a long-shot candidate to coach the team last year during the Mustangs' inaugural season, but wound up hiring Milton Douglas. When Bullock decided a change should be made this offseason, he pushed hard to get Mills to join the organization.
NOTES: The Mustangs already have a full slate of community fundraising games in the works before start of the 2006 IBL season in late March.
On Oct. 29, the Mustangs will play a charity game to raise money for the St. Clement parish at 7 p.m. The team is also taking orders for season tickets, which cost $60 for adults and $40 for children under 16. Fans wishing to order tickets may call (586) 206-4346.
Click here to return to story:
http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/092805/spo_mustangs001.shtml
PUBLISHED: September 28, 2005
By Fred Costello
Macomb Daily Sports Writer
The Macomb County Mustangs took what could be a major step forward Tuesday, when they announced the hiring of former Detroit Piston Terry Mills to coach the team this season.
Mustangs' owner Bill Bullock was excited to have added an NBA veteran to his staff.
"Terry is someone I idolized while he was playing," Bullock explained. "He has a great personality and he's very approachable. He's a legitimate guy who played 11 NBA seasons."
The team also announced the hiring of assistant coach Al Littlejohn -- who coached Mills as an 11-year-old AAU player -- and the re-signing of assistant Willie Betts.
Mills, who spent time as a consultant for the Mustangs last year, began his NBA career with the New Jersey Nets in 1990 after his college career at Michigan. The Detroit native played for the Pistons from 1992-1997 and the 1999-2000 season.
Bullock is hoping that a high-profile coach and the subsequent wave of new talent will attract fans to the Mustangs' new home at old St. Clement High School and help the team improve on last year's 4-16 record in the International Basketball League.
"I'm hoping this will be something to show fans that we're willing to go out on a limb and bring a guy in here who can turn this thing around," Bullock said. "Hopefully the fans who came to the opener last season will give us a second chance."
Mills said he realizes the challenge the Mustangs will face as they revamp their lineup, but he is completely confident in his abilities as a leader despite never coaching before.
"I know I can get the job done,"
Mills said. "My goal is definitely to win it all. We've hired some excellent assistants and we're going to get started right away evaluating talent."
The hiring of Littlejohn, who spent the 2005 season as an assistant with the undefeated Battle Creek Knights, was particularly appealing to Mills.
"Al is a legend in this area," Mills said. "He was a close friend of mine throughout my career and he was someone who I called every other day. I have great respect for him. He knows everybody and all the upcoming players."
Bullock considered Mills a long-shot candidate to coach the team last year during the Mustangs' inaugural season, but wound up hiring Milton Douglas. When Bullock decided a change should be made this offseason, he pushed hard to get Mills to join the organization.
NOTES: The Mustangs already have a full slate of community fundraising games in the works before start of the 2006 IBL season in late March.
On Oct. 29, the Mustangs will play a charity game to raise money for the St. Clement parish at 7 p.m. The team is also taking orders for season tickets, which cost $60 for adults and $40 for children under 16. Fans wishing to order tickets may call (586) 206-4346.
Click here to return to story:
http://www.macombdaily.com/stories/092805/spo_mustangs001.shtml