Ellerbe joins 'M' hoops

By Mark Snyder
Daily Sports Editor

Amid the black cloud that presently hangs over the Michigan basketball program, a temporary break has emerged.

Michigan, under investigation for possible NCAA rules violations, replaced the vacant assistant coaching position on the Michigan bench.

Brian Ellerbe, a well-traveled coach, has packed his bags once again - this time for Ann Arbor.

His basketball background is extensive, each time having improved his coaching position in programs of national respectability.

Ellerbe's background includes Division I assistant positions at Virginia, South Carolina, George Mason and Bowling Green.

His three seasons at Virginia would be of the most interest to Michigan fans.

Among his responsibilities for the Cavaliers was recruiting, as Ellerbe played a major role in landing John Crotty, Bryant Stith and Junior Burrough - each of whom went on to the NBA.

But Ellerbe's big break came when he took over as the head coach at Loyola (Md.) in 1995.

In three seasons at Loyola, Ellerbe worked his recruiting magic, landing the top recruiting class in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for two consecutive seasons.

Michigan coach Steve Fisher has former ties to Ellerbe from their days together in the Mid-America Conference.

"I have known Brian since the mid-1980s when I was at Western Michigan and he was at Bowling Green," Fisher said in a released statement. "Even then he stood out as the kind of person who would have great success."

The position opened up when former assistant Scott Perry left the program to become the head coach at Eastern Kentucky on April 11.

Ellerbe's arrival marks the second consecutive season Michigan will start with a new assistant coach. Last season, Scott Trost replaced Jay Smith on the Michigan bench.

06-04-97