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'Interim' removed from Cook's title
Michael Cook, interim men's basketball head coach at Fort Scott Community College, received a change of title Monday according to information received from the college.
The college appointed Cook as the interim head coach of the team following the sudden departure of former head coach John Burns at the beginning of the fall semester just as student-athletes were reporting to campus. Monday, the college announced that the interim label had been removed and that Cook is now employed by Fort Scott Community College as head coach of men's basketball.
The 'Hounds finished the 2007--2008 season with a record of 8-23 under Burns. Cook, who had only been recently hired to assist Burns this season, had his team working hard to turn things around this year by getting off to a great start in pre-conference play. The 'Hounds finished 6-6 in out of conference competition which included several strong match-ups outside Kansas like Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, State Fair (Mo.) and Redlands (Okla.).
The 'Hounds opened Jayhawk Conference-Eastern Division play with a 69--63 victory over Coffeyville. It was the first time FSCC had beaten the Red Ravens since 2000 and just the second win against Coffeyville in the last 20 years.
"When Coach Cook was appointed to take charge of the team, he had already impressed us with his ability to manage the student-athletes and prepare them for the season," FSCC Athletic Director Rusty Beene said. "Through the fall, we gained even more confidence in his abilities to provide leadership and direction to build our men's basketball program of the future."
Cook is enthusiastic about his new promotion.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to represent FSCC," he said. "We are in the process of making something special happen here. We want to make this program something for southeast Kansas and FSCC to be proud of."
Going into Monday night's game at Labette, Cook's young team is 1-4 in the Jayhawk Conference and 7-10 overall.
"In addition to Mike's demonstrated knowledge of the game and abilities to get the most out of his players," Beene said, "we have been proud of the example he sets for his team and his commitment to guiding their personal development as fine young men representing Fort Scott Community College both on and off the court."
Some of Cook's coaching background includes time at FSCC when he was an assistant men's basketball coach during the 1995--96 season. Most recently before returning to FSCC, Cook was an assistant boys' basketball coach at Jayhawk-Linn High School.
Before coaching basketball, Cook had the opportunity to play basketball at Eastern Oklahoma State from 1988--1990 and Pittsburg State University from 1990-1992.
Cook will coach his first home game as FSCC's head men's basketball coach against Allen County shortly after the conclusion of Wednesday night's women's contest (approximately 7 p.m.) at Arnold Arena.