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Mike Dunlap
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Michael Gregory Dunlap (born May 27, 1957) is an American professional basketball coach who is the head coach for the Colorado Mesa Mavericks men's basketball team. He is the former head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats,[1] and also worked as an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks during their most recent NBA championship.
Key Information
Career
[edit]Dunlap attended Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Alaska,[2] where he played basketball and baseball.[3] He played as a third baseman for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks in 1976.[4] Dunlap became the first basketball player from Alaska to finish their collegiate career at an NCAA Division I school when he graduated from Loyola Marymount University as a member of the Lions basketball team in 1980.[3]
Dunlap served three seasons in Australia (1994–1996) as head coach of the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League. Dunlap was successful in taking the team to the NBL Grand Final in 1994 against the North Melbourne Giants and the semi-finals in 1995 and 1996. Over his three season in Adelaide Dunlap compiled a 59–36 record before returning to the USA just weeks before the 1997 season following the sudden death of his father. Dunlap is credited as the coach who kick-started the NBL career of the 36ers all-time leading home grown player Brett Maher.[5]
He served as head coach at Metro State in Denver (1997–2006). As the leader of the Metro State Roadrunners Dunlap led the program to 2 National Championships in the 2000 and 2002 seasons. As the Architect of the greatest years in the Roadrunner history he was named The National Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the year in 2000 and 2002. He was assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets (2006–2008). He served as associate head coach at the University of Arizona (2008–2009) and the University of Oregon (2009–2010), and was interim head coach and associate head coach at St. John's University (2010–2012).[6]
In the 2011–12 NBA season the Charlotte Bobcats record was an NBA worst ever 7–59. Dunlap joined the team on June 20, 2012. In the early part of the 2012–13 season, the Bobcats had a 7–5 record, with Charlotte matching its win total from the previous season. However, at that point they suffered many injuries and played many young players. They ultimately finished 21–61. Dunlap became the only coach in NBA history to triple a team's win total from the previous season. On April 23, 2013, the Bobcats announced that Dunlap would not be returning as coach.[7]
Dunlap joined Loyola Marymount as head coach in 2014.[8] During his tenure at Loyola Marymount, Dunlap helped guide steady growth in the Lions from an 8–23 team in the 2014–15 season to 15–15 by 2016–17. In the 2018–19 season, Dunlap led the lions to a 22-win season. They were crowned the champions of the Jamaica Classic, where they upset Georgetown University. The 2018–2019 season culminated in an appearance in the 2019 College Basketball Invitational. This is the third-best record in the history of the program. With a very impressive group of returning players and a good incoming recruiting class, the 2019–20 season appeared to be bright. Season-ending injuries to 2 starters and a tragedy in another starter's family made Dunlap and the Lions play short-handed during the entire 2019–20 season. LMU and Dunlap agreed to part ways after six seasons on March 8, 2020.[9] Dunlap finished his career at his alma mater with 81 total wins, which is fifth-most all-time in program history.
On November 17, 2020, Dunlap was hired as an assistant coach by the Milwaukee Bucks.[10] Dunlap won his first championship when the Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in 6 games in the 2021 NBA Finals. He departed the team when Adrian Griffin replaced Mike Budenholzer as head coach and hired a new coaching staff.[11]
On April 15, 2024, Dunlap was hired as head coach of the Colorado Mesa Mavericks men's basketball team.[12]
Coaching record
[edit]NBA
[edit]| Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
| Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 2012–13 | 82 | 21 | 61 | .256 | 4th in Southeast | — | — | — | — | Missed Playoffs |
| Career | 82 | 21 | 61 | .256 | — | — | — | — |
NBL
[edit]| Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
| Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide 36ers | 1994 | 26 | 18 | 8 | .692 | 4th | 7 | 4 | 3 | .571 | Grand Finalist |
| Adelaide 36ers | 1995 | 26 | 17 | 9 | .654 | 4th | 5 | 2 | 3 | .400 | Semi-finals |
| Adelaide 36ers | 1996 | 26 | 16 | 10 | .615 | 6th | 5 | 2 | 3 | .400 | Semi-finals |
| Career | 78 | 51 | 27 | .654 | 17 | 8 | 9 | .471 |
College
[edit]| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Lutheran Kingsmen (NCAA Division II independent) (1989–1991) | |||||||||
| 1989–90 | Cal Lutheran | 5–21 | |||||||
| 1990–91 | Cal Lutheran | 14–12 | |||||||
| Cal Lutheran Kingsmen (Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1991–1994) | |||||||||
| 1991–92 | Cal Lutheran | 16–12 | 11–3 | 1st | NCAA D-III Sectional | ||||
| 1992–93 | Cal Lutheran | 20–7 | 12–2 | T–1st | NCAA D-III Regional | ||||
| 1993–94 | Cal Lutheran | 25–3 | 12–2 | 1st | NCAA D-III Sectional | ||||
| Cal Lutheran: | 80–55 (.593) | 35–7 (.833) | |||||||
| Metro State Roadrunners (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) (1997–2006) | |||||||||
| 1997–98 | Metro State | 25–5 | 16–3 | 1st (East) | NCAA D-II Tournament | ||||
| 1998–99 | Metro State | 28–6 | 15–4 | T–1st (East) | NCAA D-II Runner–Up | ||||
| 1999–00 | Metro State | 33–4 | 17–2 | 1st (East) | NCAA D-II Champion | ||||
| 2000–01 | Metro State | 23–7 | 14–5 | 3rd (East) | NCAA D-II First Round | ||||
| 2001–02 | Metro State | 29–6 | 16–3 | 2nd (East) | NCAA D-II Champion | ||||
| 2002–03 | Metro State | 28–5 | 16–3 | 2nd (East) | NCAA D-II Second Round | ||||
| 2003–04 | Metro State | 32–3 | 19–0 | 1st (East) | NCAA D-II Final Four | ||||
| 2004–05 | Metro State | 29–4 | 16–3 | T–1st (East) | NCAA D-II Elite Eight | ||||
| 2005–06 | Metro State | 21–10 | 13–6 | 3rd (East) | NCAA D-II first round | ||||
| Metro State: | 248–50 (.832) | 142–29 (.830) | |||||||
| Loyola Marymount Lions (West Coast Conference) (2014–2020) | |||||||||
| 2014–15 | Loyola Marymount | 8–23 | 4–14 | T–9th | |||||
| 2015–16 | Loyola Marymount | 14–17 | 6–12 | T–7th | |||||
| 2016–17 | Loyola Marymount | 15–15 | 8–10 | 6th | |||||
| 2017–18 | Loyola Marymount | 11–20 | 5–13 | 8th | |||||
| 2018–19 | Loyola Marymount | 22–12 | 8–8 | T–5th | CBI semifinal | ||||
| 2019–20 | Loyola Marymount | 11–21 | 4–12 | 8th | Postseason not held | ||||
| Loyola Marymount: | 81–108 (.429) | 35–69 (.337) | |||||||
| Total: | 409–213 (.658) | ||||||||
|
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
| |||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ "Mike Dunlap Hired by Charlotte Bobcats".
- ^ Enslow, Patrick (November 19, 2020). "Lathrop High School graduate Mike Dunlap hired by Milwaukee Bucks". Alaska's News Source. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Rodenberger, Jordan (November 19, 2020). "Lathrop graduate Mike Dunlap hired as Assistant Coach for Milwaukee Bucks". KTVF. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Rodenberger, Jordan (July 13, 2019). "Former NBA Coach Mike Dunlap, of Fairbanks, named Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Candidate". KTVF. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- ^ Ex-NBL Coach Mike Dunlap to coach Charlotte Bobcats
- ^ Mike Dunlap Profile – St. John's University Official Athletic Site Archived June 22, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Accessed April 8, 2018.
- ^ Dunlap Will Not Return as Head Coach of Charlotte Bobcats
- ^ Borzello, Jeff (March 12, 2014). "Loyola Marymount hires Mike Dunlap as new head coach". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "LMU Ways with Dunlap, Begins Search for Men's Basketball Head Coach". lmulions.com. March 8, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "Bucks Hire Mike Dunlap and Josh Oppenheimer as Assistant Coaches". NBA.com. November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "Milwaukee Bucks Announce Assistant Coaching Staff". www.nba.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ Ritchey, Paxton (April 15, 2024). "Mike Dunlap Hired As Men's Basketball Coach". Colorado Mesa University Athletics. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Loyola Marymount profile
- St. John's profile
- Mike Dunlap – college basketball player statistics at Sports Reference
Mike Dunlap
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Early years
Michael Gregory Dunlap was born on May 27, 1957, in a log cabin in Fairbanks, Alaska.[1][11] His father, Lawrence Dunlap, was a high-risk surgeon who established his medical practice in a log cabin in Fairbanks during the 1950s.[11] Dunlap developed an early interest in basketball while growing up in Fairbanks, where he began playing in youth leagues and local competitions.[12] He attended Lathrop High School, graduating in 1976, and emerged as a standout athlete on the basketball team, known as the Malemutes.[13] During his high school career, Dunlap became an all-state basketball player and contributed to two state championships for Lathrop.[14] Following high school, Dunlap pursued his basketball aspirations at the collegiate level, starting at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California.[15]College playing career
Mike Dunlap began his collegiate basketball career at Pierce College in Los Angeles, California, where he played as a guard from 1976 to 1978 and earned an associate of arts degree in science.[16][17] Specific statistical details from his time at Pierce are limited in available records, but his participation there marked his entry into organized college-level basketball as a student-athlete from Alaska.[5] Dunlap transferred to Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in 1978, continuing as a guard for the Lions through the 1979–80 season and earning a bachelor's degree in English in 1980.[16][4] Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, he appeared in 21 games across two seasons but had limited playing time, averaging 0.9 points per game as a sophomore in 1978–79 and 0.7 points per game as a senior in 1979–80.[18] During his freshman year, the Lions finished with a 5–21 overall record and 1–13 in West Coast Athletic Conference (WCAC) play under coach Dave Benaderet, placing eighth in the conference.[19] In his senior season under coach Ron Jacobs, LMU improved to a 14–14 overall mark and 10–6 in WCAC play, again finishing eighth.[20] Following graduation, Dunlap did not pursue professional basketball playing opportunities and instead transitioned directly into coaching, beginning as an assistant at LMU in 1980.[21]Coaching career
Assistant coaching positions
Dunlap began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Loyola Marymount University, where he served from 1980 to 1985 under head coaches Ron Jacobs and Joe Mullendore, contributing to the program's development during a period of transition in the West Coast Athletic Conference.[16] Following this, he took on a graduate assistant role at the University of Iowa for the 1985–86 season under head coach George Raveling, gaining experience in Big Ten competition while pursuing advanced studies.[16] From 1986 to 1989, Dunlap worked as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California (USC) under Raveling, helping the Trojans to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1986, where they advanced to the Sweet 16 by defeating Mississippi Valley State, Old Dominion, and DePaul before falling to LSU.[5][22] His responsibilities included player development and scouting, which honed his tactical acumen in high-stakes environments. After several head coaching positions at the collegiate level, Dunlap returned to assistant roles in the NBA, joining the Denver Nuggets as an assistant under George Karl from 2006 to 2008; during this time, the team qualified for the playoffs in both seasons, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals in 2007 and 2008 with a focus on defensive schemes and transition play.[23] He then served as associate head coach at the University of Arizona for the 2008–09 season under Lute Olson, aiding a squad that earned an NCAA Tournament berth and a first-round victory over Cleveland State.[5] The following year, 2009–10, Dunlap held the same position at the University of Oregon under Ernie Kent, where the Ducks finished 16-16 overall (7-11 in Pac-10) and participated in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).[16][24] In 2011–12, Dunlap was an assistant at St. John's University under Steve Lavin, supporting a team that secured an NIT appearance and emphasizing perimeter defense and rebounding fundamentals.[25] Later, from 2020 to 2023, he joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer, contributing to their 2021 NBA Championship win over the Phoenix Suns in six games; his role involved player conditioning and offensive spacing strategies during a season where the Bucks posted a 46–26 regular-season record amid COVID-19 disruptions.[9]Head coaching in college
Mike Dunlap served as head coach of the Metropolitan State University of Denver Roadrunners men's basketball team from 1997 to 2006, compiling an overall record of 248-50 (.832) and a conference mark of 142-29 (.830) in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).[6] During his nine-season tenure, his teams qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament every year and advanced to the Elite Eight five times (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005).[6] Dunlap led the Roadrunners to two NCAA Division II national championships in 2000 and 2002, earning him the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II Coach of the Year award both years.[6] His program also captured four RMAC regular-season titles (1998, 2000, 2004, 2005) and six RMAC tournament championships (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005), establishing Metro State as a dominant force in Division II basketball.[6] In 2014, Dunlap returned to his alma mater as head coach of the Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Lions, guiding the program through the 2019-20 season for a total of six years with an overall record of 81-108 (.429).[8] His LMU teams showed incremental improvement in his first three seasons, rising from 8-23 in 2014-15 to 15-15 in 2016-17, including a program-record 11-1 start in 2018-19 that led to a 22-12 finish and a CIT appearance.[26] Dunlap focused on rebuilding the Lions within the competitive West Coast Conference (WCC), emphasizing disciplined play and academic progress, though the program struggled with consistency against stronger opponents.[4] Throughout his college head coaching career, Dunlap's philosophy centered on a gritty defensive identity and holistic player development, often starting practices early to instill discipline and mental toughness.[27] He prioritized teaching perimeter skills, transition defense, and creating a "defensive mindset" through film study and repetitive drills, which contributed to his teams' sustained success in high-stakes games.[28] This approach not only elevated team performance but also prepared players for professional opportunities, as evidenced by his development of versatile guards and forwards capable of excelling in structured systems.[27] At Metro State, Dunlap recruited and developed standout players who anchored his championship runs, including All-Americans DeMarcos Anzures and Lee Barlow, who led the 2005-06 team to a 28-4 record despite graduating key seniors from prior title squads.[29] These players exemplified his emphasis on skill refinement and team-first play, helping propel the Roadrunners to multiple North Central Region titles (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005) and solidifying the program's legacy in NCAA Division II.[6]NBA and international head coaching
Dunlap's first professional head coaching position came in 1994 when he was appointed head coach of the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL), a role he held until 1997.[16] Over three seasons, his teams achieved a 59-33 regular-season record (.641 winning percentage), marking consistent success in a competitive league.[16] In his debut year, the 36ers reached the NBL Grand Final after finishing fourth in the regular season, ultimately falling to the North Melbourne Giants in a best-of-three series hampered by injuries to key players like Brett Maher.[30] The following seasons saw semifinal appearances in 1995 and 1996, showcasing Dunlap's ability to build a contending roster through strategic recruitment, including NBL MVP Robert Rose in 1994.[30][31] Prior to entering the NBA as a head coach, Dunlap gained professional experience as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets from 2006 to 2008 under George Karl, contributing to two playoff appearances.[23] On June 20, 2012, he was hired by the Charlotte Bobcats as their fifth head coach in franchise history, replacing Paul Silas following the team's league-worst 7-59 record in 2011-12.[32] Dunlap inherited a youthful roster featuring emerging talents like point guard Kemba Walker and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, both selected in the 2012 NBA Draft.[33] Emphasizing player development and an up-tempo offensive style to leverage athleticism, he focused on building habits through rigorous practice and film study, adapting college-level fundamentals to the professional pace.[34][35] Despite the challenges of integrating rookies and veterans, Dunlap's tenure saw incremental progress, with the Bobcats tripling their win total to 21-61 in 2012-13, the second-worst record in the NBA but a clear step forward from the prior season's futility.[36] Walker emerged as a cornerstone under his guidance, averaging 17.7 points per game in a breakout sophomore campaign that highlighted Dunlap's emphasis on ball-handling and transition scoring.[33] Amid a midseason 16-game losing streak, Dunlap preached patience and stuck with the young core, prioritizing long-term growth over short-term results, even as the team struggled with defensive inconsistencies and injuries.[37] He was relieved of his duties on April 23, 2013, shortly after the season's end, as the franchise sought further rebuilding momentum.[38]Recent college roles
In April 2024, following his tenure at Loyola Marymount University, Mike Dunlap was appointed head coach of the Colorado Mesa Mavericks men's basketball team in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), a Division II program.[2][39] The hiring brought Dunlap back to the RMAC, where he had previously achieved notable success at Metropolitan State University of Denver.[2] Dunlap cited several motivations for returning to Division II basketball, including the proximity to his family in Colorado and a renewed passion for player development in a less commercialized environment. In a January 2025 interview, he emphasized the "purity of the game" at this level, contrasting it with the high-stakes pressures of professional coaching, and expressed enthusiasm for building programs from the ground up.[40] He noted taking on the role as a "big chance" to focus on young talent, aligning with his long-standing commitment to holistic athlete growth.[40] During the 2024-2025 season, Dunlap led a rebuilding effort after significant roster turnover, incorporating eight true freshmen into a 15-player squad to instill foundational skills. The Mavericks started slowly at 4-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play, including a narrow 70-73 loss to rival Regis University on December 12, 2024, but rebounded strongly with eight wins in their final ten RMAC games. This surge secured third place in the conference standings and a home game in the RMAC tournament. The Mavericks finished 18-10 overall and 13-7 in RMAC play, earning the No. 3 seed, but fell in the quarterfinals to No. 6 Fort Lewis, 65-89, ending the season at 18-11. Key highlights included a double-overtime victory over a conference opponent and a dominant performance against South Dakota Mines, showcasing improved defensive tenacity and team cohesion under Dunlap's guidance.[41][42][43][44] Dunlap integrated elements from his NBA experience, such as structured practice drills and motivational techniques learned as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, adapting them to suit the developmental needs of Division II athletes. He prioritized adaptability over rigid professional schemes, focusing on fundamental skills like footwork and decision-making to elevate the program's competitiveness. In a March 2025 interview, Dunlap highlighted how these strategies accelerated the team's progress, transforming a rebuilt roster into a tournament contender.[40][41]Coaching record and achievements
NBA records
Mike Dunlap served as head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats for the 2012–13 NBA season, marking his only tenure as an NBA head coach after transitioning from an assistant role with the Denver Nuggets.[32] In his single season with the Bobcats, Dunlap compiled a record of 21 wins and 61 losses, yielding a .256 winning percentage over 82 games.[1] This performance represented a marked improvement from the team's league-worst 7–59 record the prior year under interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff, as Dunlap's squad tripled the win total despite inheriting a young and inexperienced roster featuring core players like Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.[45][33] The Bobcats did not qualify for the playoffs during Dunlap's tenure, finishing with the second-worst record in the league, ahead only of the Orlando Magic.[45] Roster constraints further challenged the team, including season-long injuries to key contributors such as starting power forward Byron Mullens, who missed 11 consecutive games and more due to torn ligaments in his left ankle.[46] Dunlap's overall NBA head coaching record stands at 21–61 across one season, with no postseason appearances.[1] He was fired by the Bobcats on April 23, 2013, shortly after the season's conclusion.[45]International and college records
Dunlap's international head coaching tenure occurred with the Adelaide 36ers of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) from 1994 to 1996, during which the team compiled a 59–33 overall record (.641).[5] Under his leadership, the 36ers reached the NBL Grand Final in 1994, falling to the North Melbourne Giants, and advanced to the semi-finals in both 1995 and 1996.[5] In his college head coaching career, Dunlap has recorded notable success across multiple institutions. At California Lutheran University from 1989 to 1994, he led the Kingsmen to an 80–55 overall record.[47] His most accomplished stint came at Metropolitan State University of Denver from 1997 to 2006, where he posted a 248–50 record (.832) overall and 142–29 (.830) in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play; this included five RMAC regular-season titles and six RMAC tournament championships.[6][17] At Loyola Marymount University from 2014 to 2020, Dunlap's Lions finished with an 81–108 record (.429). Dunlap's college teams achieved significant postseason success, particularly at MSU Denver, where they made nine consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, won regional titles five times (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005), and secured national championships in 2000 and 2002 while finishing as runners-up in 1999.[17][7] In April 2024, he returned to head coaching at Colorado Mesa University in the RMAC, where his 2024–25 team finished 19–10 overall (13–7 RMAC) and appeared in the RMAC Tournament.[2][48] Across his college head coaching career through the 2024–25 season, Dunlap amassed a 428–223 overall record (.657).| Institution | Years | Overall Record | Conference Record | Postseason Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Lutheran University | 1989–1994 | 80–55 (.593) | N/A | SCIAC titles (1992, 1993, 1994)[5] |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | 1997–2006 | 248–50 (.832) | 142–29 (.830, RMAC) | 2× NCAA DII champions (2000, 2002); 1× runner-up (1999); 9× NCAA DII appearances[6][17] |
| Loyola Marymount University | 2014–2020 | 81–108 (.429) | 39–57 (.406, WCC) | 1× CIT appearance (2018)[10] |
| Colorado Mesa University | 2024–2025 | 19–10 (.655) | 13–7 (.650, RMAC) | RMAC Tournament appearance[48] |
| Career Total (through 2024–25) | 1989–2025 | 428–223 (.657) | N/A | 2× national champions; 14× conference titles |

