holton to portland

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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

It's Official: UCLA's Holton Is
The New Portland Coach--(Apr. 3, 2001)

No sooner did we post news from the story which appeared in today's edition of the Portland Oregonian, and it's already official. At 3:48 this afternoon, the University of Portland made it official: Michael Holton will be the next head coach at the University of Portland. Here's the official press release which also appears at the University of Portland's athletics website:

The University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
Phone: 503-943-7202

4/3/2001 3:48:01 PM
contact: Mark Kirchmeier, John Furey

Holton named Portland basketball coach

For immediate release April 3, 2001

HOLTON NAMED PORTLAND HEAD COACH PORTLAND -- Michael Holton was appointed as head coach of the men’s basketball program Tuesday, becoming the 19th coach in the 77-year history of the Pilot program.

Holton returns to the campus where he began his Division I coaching career, having served the 1994-95 season under Rob Chavez. After a one-year stint at Oregon State (1995-96), Holton then joined the staff at UCLA, marking a homecoming to his alma mater where he was a four-year letterwinner.

Holton spent five years at UCLA as an assistant coach, as the Bruins earned five consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, including a 1997 NCAA “Elite Eight” appearance, along with 2001, 2000 and 1998 NCAA “Sweet 16” berths. UCLA recorded five consecutive 20+game winning seasons and a 114-56 record, averaging nearly 23 victories a year.

As UCLA’s recruiting coordinator, Holton helped the Bruins land the nation’s No. 1 (1998) and No. 2 (1997) recruiting classes.

While at Portland in 1994-95 with Chavez, Holton helped direct the Pilots to a 21-8 record. At the time, it was the Pilots’ most successful campaign in 37 years.

A nine-year professional player in the NBA and CBA – which included a two-year stay with the Portland Trail Blazers (1986-88) – Holton’s playing career culminated in 1992. He then joined the Pasadena City College coaching staff in the 1993-94 season under George Terzian, who had been Holton’s high school coach.

Three of the last four years Holton has been invited by the National Basketball Association to coach in the NBA Pre-draft Camp in Chicago. He also assisted Herb Brown during the summer of 1997 in Monticello, New York at a training camp that prepared the U. S. squad for the Maccabiah Games in Israel (the team won a bronze medal). Holton is also co-founder of the King “D” Basketball Camp in southern California where he and former Los Angeles Laker star and current Los Angeles Sparks head coach Michael Cooper instruct pre-college players.

In his UCLA playing career, Holton was captain his senior season (1983) under coach Larry Farmer; twice (1981-82) was awarded the J. D. Morgan Memorial Award for the outstanding team player; garnered the Bob “Ace” Calkins Memorial Trophy (1983) as team free throw champion (85.3) and the Irv Pohlmeyer Memorial Trophy (1980) for outstanding first year player. He also earned Scholastic All-American honors.

Following his Bruin career, Holton was a third-round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors. He spent six years in the NBA with Phoenix (1984-85), Chicago (1985-86), Portland (1986-88) and Charlotte (1988-90). During his NBA career, he appeared in 325 games, averaging 6.2 points, 3.0 assists and 1.4 rebounds, while shooting 44.1% from the field and 80.7% from the foul line. During his professional career, Holton also played in the Continental Basketball Association for four seasons.

Holton was recruited to UCLA following a standout prep career at Pasadena High School. As a senior, he earned Scholastic Coach Magazine first-team All-American, CIF 4-A co-Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player of the Pacific League. He averaged 27.0 points a game. As a junior, Holton helped lead Pasadena to its second consecutive CIF Southern Section championship.

Born on Aug. 4, 1961 in Seattle, Holton and his wife, the former LaShell Hunter, who have been married for 15 years, have three children: Chanelle (13), Mike, Jr. (nine) and Anthony (eight).

THE “H” FACTOR • Five seasons as recruiting coordinator/assistant coach at UCLA (114-56 record, five NCAA berths) • 1992 UCLA graduate (Political Science) • University of Portland assistant coach (1994-95, 21-8 record) • Oregon State University assistant coach (1995-96) • Pasadena City College assistant coach (1993-94)

***

The University of Portland is Oregon's Catholic university and has been closely affiliated for nearly a century with the Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Ind. U.S. News & World Report ranks the institution as one of the top ten regional universities in the American West. It is the only school in Oregon to offer a College of Arts & Sciences, a Graduate School, and schools of Business, Education, Engineering, and Nursing.