Houston Basketball Adds Veteran Coach Mike Ekanem Pending Approval

Three collegiate men's basketball programs have recently announced additions to their coaching staffs to strengthen their teams. The University of the Pacific hired Brandon Cole as an assistant coach, leveraging his extensive experience coaching elite youth circuits and collegiate teams, along with his strong recruiting connections in California. Minot State University added Rylee Hernandez as an assistant coach, bringing nearly a decade of head coaching experience at junior colleges and a reputation as an effective communicator and recruiter familiar with the local region. The University of Houston welcomed veteran coach Mike Ekanem, known for his varied collegiate and NBA experience, including recent assistant coaching roles at Oklahoma State and George Mason; head coach Kelvin Sampson praised Ekanem's strong work ethic, cultural fit, and recruiting capabilities. Ekanem's hiring fills the vacancy left by Quannas White and aligns with Houston's culture of winning and player development. These coaching hires reflect a strategic focus on recruiting, player development, and building strong team cultures across different college basketball programs.