Western Michigan University Athletics

Western Michigan assistant coach Rick Carter is beginning his fifth season as an assistant coach as part of the Broncos' men's basketball program, and will continue to provide his trademark intensity on the sidelines and on the recruiting trail to Steve Hawkins' staff in 2012-13.

Carter worked with WMU all-time leading scorer David Kool to help him become the first Bronco to lead the MAC in scoring since 1987 as a junior in 2008-09 and repeat as the league's leading scorer in 2009-10 on his way to MAC Player of the Year honors.

Carter joined the Broncos after spending two seasons (2006-08) at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., and the 2003-06 seasons at Michigan State. He is also well versed in the Michigan AAU scene after coaching Western Michigan players Michael Redell and Kool while working with the Michigan Mustangs from 2000-03 and 2006.

With the Stags, Carter spent the 2007-08 season as an assistant coach after acting as the program’s director of basketball operations during the 2006-07 season. In 2007-08, Carter helped Fairfield finish fifth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with an 11-7 record, one spot better than their 2006-07 conference record. Through his efforts, Carter helped the Stags to only their seventh and eighth winning conference records in their 26-year history in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).

As part of a new staff, Carter’s efforts helped Fairfield to a 21-15 MAAC mark in two seasons, which is better than any staff has done in its first two years at Fairfield.

As director of operations he served as a liaison between the coaching staff and the University community and developed strong relationships in Fairfield County through community service projects and community outreach programs. He supervised and coordinated all scouting services including video exchange. Carter also developed an academic program in conjunction with the University’s academic coordinator and other support services. Furthermore, his responsibilities encompassed planning and scheduling recruiting trips and itineraries and he supervised on-campus visits with potential student-athletes.

Carter played a key role on the Michigan State staff as a graduate assistant from 2003-06, helping coordinate several aspects of the day-to-day operations. Besides planning everyday activities such as workouts and practice schedules, Carter also worked with the coaching staff with video exchange and scouting operations. Plus, he was instrumental in maintaining an academic support program for the Spartan players.

During the 2005-06 season, Carter contributed to Michigan State’s 22-12 season that saw the Spartans gain entry to the NCAA Tournament. Three Michigan State players earned All-Big Ten honors, including Maurice Ager. Ager led the Big Ten in scoring for all games with 19.3 points per outing.

Before joining the Spartans, Carter was the junior varsity head boy’s basketball coach and varsity assistant at East Lansing High School from 1998-2003.

A native of Grand Blanc, Mich., Carter (31/DOB:4-20-79) graduated from Michigan State with a degree in business management in 2002.