KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan men's basketball head coach
Steve Hawkins announced the hiring of Glen "Red" Heffernan as assistant coach on Tuesday.
Heffernan comes to WMU after working with the UTEP men's basketball program this past season. Prior to UTEP, Heffernan spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Cardinal Stritch University.
"We are excited to bring in Coach Heffernan to the Bronco basketball family," said
Coach Hawkins. "Replacing Coach Farmer is hard because of all the years of experience but I feel like we have taken a step in the right direction with Coach Heffernan as he brings in a wealth of knowledge from all different levels."
"When losing Coach Farmer, our biggest concern was losing our connections with the Chicago recruiting base which has been great to us," said Hawkins. "With the hiring of Coach Heffernan, that will absolutely be addressed."
"I am excited to be here and excited to work with the men's basketball staff," said Heffernan. "I am also really looking forward to working with Coach Hawkins."
Heffernan's prior experience at the collegiate level includes working as an assistant coach with Loyola-Chicago, University of Illinois-Chicago and Mid-American Conference foe Ball State. Heffernan earned his first head coaching stint at Los Angeles Valley College where in his first season guided LAVC to a second place finish in the Western State Conference.
Prior to Cardinal Stritch, Heffernan spent two seasons as head coach of the Midwest Elite Prep School in Merrillville, Ind. Heffernan had an overall record of 54-10 with several victories over ranked schools including Fishbone Prep who was ranked No. 1 in the nation.
From 2011-13, Heffernan was the head coach at Lalumiere Prep School in LaPorte, Ind., posting an overall record of 62-8. Lalumiere Prep finished No. 8 and No. 6 in the nation under Heffernan and advanced to play in the ESPN Rise High School Championships both years.
In three years as the head coach at Mather High School, Heffernan won 70 games and claimed conference titles in back-to-back seasons while advancing to the City of Chicago Finals and the State of Illinois Sectional Championship. In 2010, Heffernan was named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Coach of the Year.
