This fall, former Muskegon Community College Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Gene Gifford returns to campus to continue his 26 plus year legacy as one of MCC’s great head basketball coaches.
While MCC’s campus has evolved over the years, adding a brand-new Health and Wellness Center in 2018, Gifford already knows his way around. He coached at MCC from 1981 to 2007. During this time, Gifford earned Michigan Community College Athletic Association Athletic Director of the Year Awards in 1996 and 2007. Before his coaching career began, Gifford was a student-athlete on MCC’s basketball team back in the early 70s.
Some of Gifford’s favorite coaching highlights include leading the MCC Men’s Basketball Team to win the Western Conference Championship in 1999-2000 and coaching the 1989-1990 national runner-up team. Other teams that Gifford has coached include Mona Shores Varsity Basketball, Olivet College, Aquinas College, and many more.
Throughout his years of coaching, Gifford’s goal remains clear: to help his young players excel on the court and in the classroom. “If I can make a difference in the lives of these young men I’ll be working with, I think I’ll get a lot of personal satisfaction,” Gifford notes.
“It is great to have Gene back with the Jayhawks! His knowledge and passion for the game will help us continue our recent success,” MCC Athletic Director, Marty McDermott said.
The men’s basketball season begins November 4. To learn more about the team visit: https://www.muskegoncc.edu/athletics/mens-basketball/